Joshua teases 2023 fight plans and vows to become world champion again

Anthony Joshua says he is ‘dying’ to become a world champion once again next year. The Watford powerhouse dropped his WBA (super), WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 and was unable to regain them in the rematch last August.

For the first time since winning his first world belt – the IBF strap back in 2016 – Joshua is out of title contention and is keen to get himself back up amongst the divisional elite next year.

“I lost a fight this year which took me out of the championship title race,” Joshua told The Sun. “So, when you’re constantly fighting for championships after championships you’re constantly in the race for a long time.

“When I lost, I was finally out of the race and overcoming that was a new beginning, something I’ve been used to, being in the title race for seven years and then finally realising that this isn’t my norm anymore. It’s challenging to overcome that.

Joshua is expected to return to the ring in either March or April at the O2 Arena, London. No opponent has been officially confirmed as of yet although Dillian Whyte is understood to be the frontrunner after beating Jermaine Franklin last month.

Otto Wallin, Filip Hrgovic, Deontay Wilder, Demsey McKean, and Zhang Zhilei have also been mentioned in the same conversation and Joshua will be hoping these fights can act as a platform for championship clashes.

“I like to see my name constantly mentioned amongst other fighters,” Joshua added. “The opportunities are always there for me, there are big opportunities to fight.

“I’ll fight whoever’s ready, I’m ready and we’ll get cracking in the New Year. I want to be consistent, be fit to fight, and everything comes off the back of that. I’m dying for the world championship, 100%. That’s all my heart and soul is leading towards.”