Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has admitted he could end up losing one his belts outside the ring in 2020, as he might not be able to meet up with two mandatory fights he is force d to undertake, megasportsarena.com reports.
While expressing dismay over the prospect of being stripped off one of his titles, and equally stressed that the big fight he actually wants is against America’s Deontay Wilder, ‘AJ’ added that he will give everything to keep all hold of his belts but acknowledged that it will be a long shot.
The British champ and London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist further conceded that he may be forced to give up one of his heavyweight world titles in the coming year, should he be unable to satisfy all of his mandatory challengers.
‘AJ’ recaptured the IBF, WBA and WBO straps by outpointing Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on December, after which two of the global bodies immediately lined up mandatory fighters he has to take on before the middle of 2020.
Oleksandr Usyk is next up for the WBO belt, while Kubrat Pulev is first in line for a shot at the IBF, with discussions over a fight in April, ahead of which Joshua remains positive of overcoming a grueling year, regardless of who his next challenger would be.
However, should a deal be struck with the Bulgarian first, Joshua would be unable to meet Ukrainian Usyk before the scheduled June deadline, meaning he would relinquish the title, a proposition which he admits he loathes to even think about.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “It’s so hard to go round and collect all these belts, it’s really difficult and I’ve kept hold of them for so many years. To have to vacate because of the boxing politics would be annoying, but there’s things that are out of my control.
“If I do lose one, I know I’ll be able to get it back. Time moves so fast, it’s easy to forget things. We just look forward into the New Year and more challenges, more competition and hopefully more memorable years to come. It’s 2020 vision. Whoever’s on the cards will get taken down. I just keep myself focused and whoever wants it can get it.”
