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Britain’s Anthony Joshua says he’s made”extreme” lifestyle modifications since his shock defeat by Andy Ruiz in June.
Joshua lost his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles since he was knocked down four days in front of a stoppage at New York – one of the greatest upsets of boxing.
The group will fight in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on December.
“Boxing was always the easiest part for me personally. The struggle was constantly maintaining my life in check,” Joshua, 29, told AFP.
“There will be no aftershock following the first battle. I will be brighter. Getting bogged down was good.
“I have made some drastic changes, lifestyle things. Family, groups, what’s essential, priorities. The effort needed to stay on the straight and narrow will be hard.”
The group confronted on Thursday during an international media tour for the rematch with Ruiz – that fights under a flag – wearing a sombrero.
Joshua vowed to regain his titles and insisted”quitting isn’t within my DNA”.
“As long as I have breath in me I will keep on fighting for the fire of boxing,” said Joshua.
“I faced defeat as an amateur in my next fight. There would be 10, if I had stopped. I dropped in the. If I stopped there could be no now.
“Everybody in this area was through certain things where no-one believed in them.
“I’m not even gun shy and I am looking forward to getting back there and hammering my straps.”
Since it was declared it would be in Saudi Arabia the bout has drawn criticism.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has highlighted the country’s”abysmal” human rights record. Substantial restrictions on freedom of expression and the rights of women are raised, as has the use of the death penalty for offences not recognised as crimes under international law.
The Kingdom has been sought to improve the way that staging entertainment and sporting events in an effort to entice people and proceed away from the oil-dependent economy perceives it.
Joshua explained:”I have heard it [complaint of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record] since the fight was announced. It’s a great thing that we are speaking about it although it is a point of dialogue and they’re currently acting to make a shift.
“They are making good adjustments and following these kinds of conversations, I begin denying that yes, there is an issue there. My trips to the Middle East have been around Dubai and I’ve had fun. The reception has been good.”
Speaking to DAZN, promoter Eddie Hearn explained:”We cannot dismiss the potential for boxing in the Middle East. I think that is a changing of a guard in several respects. Every promoter in boxing tried for to Saudi Arabia to get a event.
“Not just Saudi but Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar will be bidding to get battles at the future. You either embrace the shift or turn your back on it and become an idiot.”
After the defeat at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Joshua said until the offer to attract the struggle was confirmed, that he favoured a return.
“It was part of the program [to combat New York back ]. This was my favorite option,” Joshua said.
His shock defeat in June – the first of their Briton’s career – led to some forecasts for Joshua with Robert McCracken, who has trained him because his adolescent years.
“This was a fairly difficult night,” McCracken said. “I really don’t think Anthony was that evening but that resembles an excuse since Ruiz was great at the evening. We all know he’ll be prepared.
“I took flack for the loss, I have no problem with this because the head coach. I wouldn’t have stated when I didn’t think Anthony could receive his names back, do the rematch. Anthony’s only mission is the belts back.”
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