Anthony Joshua has claimed that British boxers don’t get respect from “world media” despite their recent success.
Joshua is the reigning WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion. His compatriot, Tyson Fury, also recently defeated Deontay Wilder to win the WBC equivalent.
Joshua regained his world titles in December following a victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia.
The win came six months after a shock loss to the Mexican on the Brit’s United States debut where he was floored four times in a seventh-round stoppage loss.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Joshua said “It was a difficult time in my career.
“Last year was a real tough year. As a British heavyweight fighter, we never get respect from the world media, which is governed by America to a certain degree, because we’re British.
“Americans are going to take care of Americans. So when I lost… you take challenges, the goal is to win 100 percent.”
However, Joshua was set to defend his world titles against Kubrat Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 before the coronavirus chaos led to its postponement.
Meanwhile, Kubrat Pulev has pledged half of his purse – an estimated £2m – from his world heavyweight title fights against Britain’s Anthony Joshua to help the battle against coronavirus.
Pulev, 38, is expected to earn around $5m (£4.07m) from the fight.
SKY SPORTS