‘Old Man’ Joshua admits career end is near
Joshua - who is hoping to make his return to boxing in the spring - said he must work harder than ever
Nigerian-born boxer Anthony Joshua has said he is reaching the 'end' of his career and described himself as an 'old man' ahead of his boxing return.
Joshua has not stepped foot in the ring since his second-successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August - having lost his WBA, WBO and IBF belts to the Ukrainian mastermind in September last year.
Joshua - who is hoping to make his return to boxing in the spring - said he must work harder than ever to 'make these last years count'. However, he did admit he was 'looking forward' to spending more time with his family once he retires.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Joshua said: 'I'm baffled, I'm an old man, where's the time gone? So I always look at it like I'm not at the start of my career and I'm not in the middle, I'm at the end.
'So that's how quick time has gone, I've gotta really make sure now I put in the most work I've ever done and make these last years count. My greatest achievement hasn't been reached yet. It will be when I make it out the other side of the fight game.
'I personally always thought I would probably cry when boxing is done, because I put a lot into it inside and outside of the ring. Like you put a lot into your work, you wake up, you sacrifice, you're tired sometimes; all that type of stuff, we all go through it.
'Sometimes you have your bad days but I've always tried to be strong, well I am strong. I think now it would be making it through healthy and being able to enjoy commercial stuff without pressures of having to train after, enjoying going back to your family, just chilling. So that will be my major achievement, I'm looking forward to that.''
There are several big fights the fans want to see before Joshua calls it a day on his career. They would love for AJ to face long-term rivals Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury before hanging up his gloves.
Hearn previously told iFL TV: 'The communication lines are good between me and [Wilder's manager] Shelly Finkel.
'We've had a lot of talks, a lot of chats. Until the training team is confirmed for AJ. We won't make any opponent selections because we want the input from the trainer.'
Hearn went on to add: 'We've got three or four guys that we're talking to and ready to try and make a move for.'
