‘Who are you to tell me to get out of the gym?’ – Joshua not ready to retire

In what was apparently a response to Tyson Fury’s comment, former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has asked all those asking him to retire, to back off.

Joshua, 30, who is set for a rematch against Anthony Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on December 7, lost the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles in June when he fell to a shock defeat to the Mexican-American.

There has been calls from some quarters, with the voice of Fury seemingly loudest on the matter, that Joshua should consider retirement if he loses again to Ruiz.

Fury had told IFL Tv some days back: “He has to get a couple of wins under his belt and convince the public that he’s a fighting man again… If he can’t make a comeback, if he can’t beat Andy Ruiz Jr., you ain’t going to do anything to Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder or any other decent heavyweight in the world either.”

Read Also: Venue for Joshua vs Ruiz Jr showdown near completion (PHOTOS)

Bust speaking during Sky’s face-to-face Gloves Are Off show, Joshua said ahead of his Saudi bout: “It is weird because you get, Ah, if you lose your next fight you should retire.’

“I say, ‘You didn’t tell me to get in the gym so who are you to tell me to get out of the gym?’

“I swear I’ll fight till I’m 50. I fight because I love the game.”

Joshua will hope to reclaim his titles at the 15,000-seater Diriyah Arena in Saudi.

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