ANTHONY JOSHUA UNVEILS RETIREMENT PLANS

Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has outlined his plan to ‘make a transition’ into retirement ‘over the next eight years’.

He is reported by UK’s daily Mail as saying: ‘When boxing departs I’m not going to crumble – I always have plans to develop as a businessman’

Joshua who turned professional one year after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics, and he is already preparing life after boxing. 

The 30-year-old aspires to take part in philanthropic work and become a ‘well respected businessman’ when he hangs up the gloves. 

In the meantime, Joshua insists he is fully focused on unifying the heavyweight division by defeating rival Tyson Fury. 

‘I am a normal person that happens to box so what I always said to myself is I’m never gonna make boxing all of who I am,’ he told the Sun.

‘So even though it’s a very significant part of my life, when boxing departs one day, I’m not going to crumble with it and I’m gonna be relevant. I always have plans to develop myself as a businessman.

‘Over the next eight years I’m gonna make a transition, not only as a boxer, but a well respected individual, well respected businessman and also someone who’s like a philanthropist where you’re talking about giving back, about different causes.

‘I will have my point where I’ll stand for more than just boxing because at the minute, nobody really cares if I do give back to certain communities.

‘All they wanna know is when am I knocking out Tyson Fury, so I understand that.

‘I have to start thinking of making these last years of transition as well as staying on the top of my game.’

Joshua regained his IBO, IBF, WBA and WBO belts in December by beating Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia, six months after suffering his first career defeat to the Mexican in New York. 

He was scheduled to take on Kubrat Pulev in the summer before the coronavirus crisis brought sporting action to a halt, and that fight has yet to be rescheduled. 

Meanwhile, Fury is set to do battle with Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight after the Bronze Bomber triggered a rematch clause in his contract.

Fury became WBC champion in February when he stopped Wilder inside seven rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Former heavyweight king Mike Tyson recently revealed he hopes to return to the ring in an exhibition match, but Joshua says he has no intention of facing the 53-year-old.

‘With all due respect I wouldn’t,’ he told the Sun.

‘Even if I fought Iron Mike and beat him, I think I’d be the only one cheering. People would boo. He is a legend. He is the greatest boxer of the modern era.

‘There are only two recognised champions the world knows of, Ali and Mike Tyson — the most recognised faces in the world when it comes to boxing.’

-Daily Mail