Anthony Joshua says money is motivating him as he prepares for Jermaine Franklin
Anthony Joshua admits money is motivating his return to the ring to take on Jermaine Franklin.
But he insists he never considered quitting the sport after back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk wrecked his undisputed dream. The former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight king takes on Franklin on April 1 at the O2 in London.
It will be the first time he has stepped in the ring since the second defeat by Ukrainian ace Usyk last September, but it will also be the first fight of a brand new exclusive broadcast deal with streaming giant DAZN which is set to earn him in the region of £100m over the course of the contract.
READ MORE: Anthony Joshua won’t fight on PPV for first time in eight years when he makes comeback
Joshua, 33, was asked by promoter Eddie Hearn what is motivating him now as he begins what has been billed as a ‘New Dawn’ in his career and delivered an honest response.
He said: “Money money money. I like making money. Straight up. This is a prize fighting sport. I’ve been broke. I know what this s*** means.
“When it’s all said and done, nobody will care about me any more.”
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Joshua insists he also still has ambitions to reach the top of the division again and he will watch Tyson Fury’s upcoming clash with Usyk with an eager eye. The plan is to face Franklin, the American whose only defeat was a closely contested clash with Dillian Whyte in November, then stage a big summer showdown.
There is strong believe that fight will be a rematch with Whyte, who he beat in 2016, but there is also a chance of facing former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Hearn had a chance meet up with Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel in New York last week when they were both at an NBA game at Madison Square Garden.
They had some dialogue about the fight but it would be a huge event if it happened. Joshua’s focus for now is getting his career back on track and working with new trainer Derrick James has taken him to Texas for his training camp.
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He is rebuilding after the Usyk fight but insists there was no talk of retirement despite already having won three world titles and earned close to £200m already in his career.
When asked if he considered quitting, Joshua added: “Nah, not really. If you do then you have to get rid of that thought. That can’t live with you.
“Usyk is a good fighter, you can’t underestimate anyone. If him and Fury fight it will be a good fight, I’m not saying anything more than it will be a good fight. I worked hard for that fight but I have to work harder. To be good is one thing, to be very good is another thing.”
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Joshua, who has lost three fights in 27, is confident he’s ready to return as he plots his first fight back at the O2 since beating Dominic Breazeale there in June 2016.
He added: “I’m feeling serious, focused and locked in.
“Whether my opponent has belts or not I take him the same way. I have to give the man his respect, he’s coming to fight and that will make me keep my feet on the ground and take him seriously.”
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