British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua has been pictured for the first in public since his shocking defeat byAndy Ruiz Jnr on Saturday night. The 29-year-old who was dropped four times before the referee stepped in in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden was spotted enjoying a night-time stroll as he exited Golden Swan Garden, a small park in West Village in New York on Wednesday.
Joshua spoke out about his defeat on Wednesday, addressing his fans via YouTube.
‘I took my first (professional) loss,’ he said. ‘How to explain that feeling? It has happened to me before but I feel like those times I lost years back have made me a stronger person,’
‘It hasn’t really changed me, my work ethic, my mindset, what I stand for, the people I’m still loyal to — my trainer Rob McCracken, my amateur coach at Finchley ABC. I’m still going to work with these guys, they’ll teach me everything I need to know.
‘They’ve done a great job for me not only inside the boxing ring but mainly as a human. They’ve really developed me as a person which is really important. These guys have been with me for years.’
The boxer who has vowed to win back IBO, IBF, WBO, and WBA also refused to make any excuses for his defeat to the Mexican.
‘There was no contaminated food. I know there’s a lot of accusations or worries about what was wrong with me,’ Joshua added.
‘But I want to tell you this — I’m a soldier and I have to take my ups and my downs. And on Saturday I took a loss and I have to take it like a man. I have to take my loss like a man, no blaming anyone or anything.
‘I’m the one who went in there to perform and my performance didn’t go to plan. I’m the one who has to adjust, analyse and do my best to correct it and get the job done in the rematch. ‘Boxing is a part of my life and I’m a champion at heart. Congratulations to Andy Ruiz, he has six months or so to be champion because the belts go in the air and he has to defend them against myself.
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