Anthony Joshua was moved enough by those concerned over his health, to further clarify his current injury.
There was also the side of the British heavyweight who was annoyed enough to address those who took issue with recent words and actions over this past weekend.
The two-time and reigning unified heavyweight titlist made a splash in a number of ways after making his presence felt at a recent Black Lives Matter march in his hometown of Watford, England. Joshua—sporting a ‘Black Lives Matter’ hoodie—was seen moving around in a full leg brace while walking on crutches when not otherwise moving around on a scooter.
“Respect for the supporters concerned about my leg,” Joshua (23-1, 21KOs) said in a statement over the weekend. “I buss my knee running miles in the woods. Doc said take all weight off it for two/three weeks.
“Still training, still active, still punching. Two weeks [more to go], then it’s off.”
The injury won’t at all affect the next ring appearance for Joshua, who is due to make a title defense versus mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14KOs). Their bout was previously due to take place on June 20 prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic which has wreaked havoc around the world.
The heavyweight fight will likely take place in the 4th quarter of 2020, by which time it is hoped that sporting events can once again take place in front of the type of massive crowd befitting a Joshua-headlined event.
As previously reported by BoxingScence.com’s Manouk Akopyan, Joshua was among those at Saturday’s anti-racist rally who addressed the crowd. The 30-year old heavyweight from a pre-written speech prepared by a friend who was unable to attend, in it which urged participants to “abstain from spending your money in their shops, and spend in economies that invest in black businesses.
“And that’s for all communities if you want to uplift yourself. Invest in your own businesses.”
By ‘their’, Joshua was clearly referring to those who continue to support or condone the level of racism and discrimination that is now being protested en masse around the world. Joshua also called for an end to black youth gang culture, while also condemning the rioting and looting that has come with some of the protests, most of which were the actions of opportunists rather than those focused on the greater cause.
Criticism from those who weren’t as moved as others by his read statement ranged from citing the lack of social distancing practices to flat-out racism.
Both matters were addressed in separate posts throughout his Sunday.
“I understand the concerns in regards to social distancing,” noted Joshua. “However I hope those who are complaining about social distancing have the same energy about those gathering for a day at the beach [and] those going to the park for a picnic.”
As for as the racist tone carried by his harsher critics, that matter was dealt a far mightier blow.
“If you think I’m a racist, go f–k yourself,” Joshua stated in a statement released through his Twitter account on Sunday. “If you watch the full video, the speech was passed around for someone to read and I took the lead. I personally spoke from the heart about the [W]atford community, ideas of us personally investing [seven] figures to create unity and opportunities and adding change to the African/Caribbean community.
“Shops aren’t the issue here. Before you talk sh-t you better boycott racism. I said what I said and I will act to make change.”
Boxing scene
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