Nigerian-born boxer Anthony Joshua honestly admitted that money is motivating him ahead of his fight with Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena in London.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion is keen to get his career back on track by beating Franklin on April 1 after suffering consecutive defeats to champion Oleksandr Usyk.
During a press conference to promote his fight with Franklin, Joshua was asked by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn what was motivating during this pivotal time in his career.
“Money,” Joshua said repeatedly before Hearn had even finished asking the question. “I like making money. Straight up. Like, this is a prizefighting sport.
“I’ve been broke. My family has been broke. I know what this sh*t means and I do it because I’m good at it and I hustle hard.
“When it’s all said and done no-one will care about me no more. So, I’ve got to make the most of it while I’m here.”
According to Forbes, Joshua has amassed a £38million fortune by becoming one of the biggest stars in boxing during his ten years as a professional.
Joshua, who insists he is taking his upcoming fight extremely seriously, has relocated to Texas where he is trained by new coach Derrick James.
“It is not because I ain’t seen anything,” Joshua replied when asked by Hearn about the excitement of moving to the United States. I’m not there for anything else, I’m a serious person so I am not there for anything else. Throughout my career this is probably the most serious I have taken it.
“I’m not really there to go out for coffees and talk about bulls*t, I’m there to f*king work.”
If he’s able to get back in the win column against Franklin, Joshua can look forward to potential fights with Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder or even former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
All three would be extremely lucrative for the 33-year-old and would certainly allow him to live a life of luxury long after his boxing days are over.
