BoxRec

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says Wladimir Klitschko's decision to retire and decline a rematch was a "massive" disappointment.

"In my heart of hearts I kind of knew he probably wouldn't fight again," said Joshua.

"He was saying how obsessed he was with becoming heavyweight champion of the world again," said Joshua.

"If you fail at the first hurdle, you go again - [he] knew from my side I was ready for a rematch, making it clear that if he wants to go again, we'll go again.

"With Klitschko, we weren't hearing too much, so I just thought he was 50-50, but I had a feeling he might not fight again."

When asked how much of a disappointment Klitschko's retirement was, Joshua replied: "Massive. It was probably even a disappointment for his management, his trainer [Johnathon Banks]."

Joshua added he respected Klitschko's decision but contrasted it with 40-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr, who is coming out of retirement to fight UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on 26 August.

"Mayweather's still going strong - Klitschko still had a good fight in him [in April's defeat]," he said.

"I'm sure he's still got a couple of other good fights in him."

However, Joshua admitted even though "all looks good on the outside" Klitschko had "put his body through so many years impact".

He added: "I'd appreciate it if we just sat down as gentlemen, and he gave me some experience he's learned from over the years. "

Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Ortiz will be next after Pulev.

Ortiz might be 47 now

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

crusader wrote:Ortiz might be 47 now

Classy interview as usual from Joshua as usual. Wouldn't surprise me if Wlad would be willing to sit down with him, and share war stories from his career. I'm sure there's a lot he could learn from that. Though honestly, fighting and struggling to beat Wlad was probably one of the best learning experiences he ever could've gotten. He was pushed to his limits in that one, and found out he can walk through the fire, and pull out a win. You can't teach that, you just have to go through it.

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Come on expert do yourself a favour and comment on this properly

I like aj. But now its time that he takes on ortiz, povetkin and wilder asap

crusader wrote:Ortiz might be 47 now

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Another fan having a dig at Joshua 'ducking' Ortiz...despite the fact that he just fought the universally recognised no1 contender and most dangerous opponent in Klitchko; and despite being very close to defeat was ready to do it again.

What have you seen in Ortiz that makes you think Joshua would be ducking him?

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Another fan having a dig at Joshua 'ducking' Ortiz...despite the fact that he just fought the universally recognised no1 contender and most dangerous opponent in Klitchko; and despite being very close to defeat was ready to do it again.

What have you seen in Ortiz that makes you think Joshua would be ducking him?

Wilder too. 38-0 and we're still waiting...

Covfefe wrote:

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Another fan having a dig at Joshua 'ducking' Ortiz...despite the fact that he just fought the universally recognised no1 contender and most dangerous opponent in Klitchko; and despite being very close to defeat was ready to do it again.

What have you seen in Ortiz that makes you think Joshua would be ducking him?

Wilder too. 38-0 and we're still waiting...

At least Wilder has a legitimate claim to a shot at Joshua - he has a belt, is undefeated (regardless of quality of opposition) and has unquestionable power that makes the fight at least intriguing.
But as has been discussed in other threads, their timetables are not aligned at the moment.

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Another fan having a dig at Joshua 'ducking' Ortiz...despite the fact that he just fought the universally recognised no1 contender and most dangerous opponent in Klitchko; and despite being very close to defeat was ready to do it again.

What have you seen in Ortiz that makes you think Joshua would be ducking him?

Its simple, josh is now the king of the heavyweights, he is in his prime. The second best hw is leaving his prime, thats why there is no time to waist. Aj is the boss, he calls thw shots and he should face o asap

This sounds a bit dumb and condescending from Joshua, the way I've interpreted it. Almost as if he is trying to coax WK out of his decision. He's 41, has spent multiple years at the top doing the hard yards, he won't be convinced. AJ beat him fair and square, the stoppage was a good one imo but it was a close fight, maybe Joshua wants to "beat him better" a second time but AJ, you should have done that the first time. Also comparing this to FLoyds comeback is ridiculous.

lazboy wrote:This sounds a bit dumb and condescending from Joshua, the way I've interpreted it. Almost as if he is trying to coax WK out of his decision. He's 41, has spent multiple years at the top doing the hard yards, he won't be convinced. AJ beat him fair and square, the stoppage was a good one imo but it was a close fight, maybe Joshua wants to "beat him better" a second time but AJ, you should have done that the first time. Also comparing this to FLoyds comeback is ridiculous.

My interpretation of it was a bit less cynical.
I think of this the same as I do most of his press work
50% he seems like a fairly genuine bloke who is pretty humble for a heavyweight world champion.
50% he is well advised on what to say to the press by his management team in order to preserve the media darling status he has.

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Joshua is the only HW willing to do that....

Loki wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Joshua is the only HW willing to do that....

Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

Jip wrote:

Loki wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Joshua is the only HW willing to do that....

Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

You seem to be basing your opinion on this on the fact that Ortiz is old...why would that factor into Joshua's thinking? He doesn't owe Ortiz a shot. If Ortiz earns it with performances (which I think is highly debatable at this stage) which promise a decent fight and good commercial returns then fair enough.
The fact that Ortiz is old and has limited time is irrelevant.

Jip wrote:

Loki wrote:

Jip wrote:Anthony should shut up and fight the names we want to see and not in 10 years when ortiz is 47 but now!!!

Joshua is the only HW willing to do that....

Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

Ortiz is officially 38 years old. I know that some people think that is not his actual age. Klitschko was 40 when he fought Joshua.

..Joshua said nothing I would disagree with..

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:

Loki wrote:
Joshua is the only HW willing to do that....

Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

You seem to be basing your opinion on this on the fact that Ortiz is old...why would that factor into Joshua's thinking? He doesn't owe Ortiz a shot. If Ortiz earns it with performances (which I think is highly debatable at this stage) which promise a decent fight and good commercial returns then fair enough.
The fact that Ortiz is old and has limited time is irrelevant.

He is the best heavyweight aside from aj. Age is relevant, it was relevant when floyd shouldve fought pac in 2008 instead of waiting 6 years. Now its the same. Ortiz did enough. Certainly more than pulev. Fight needs to happen asap

Jip wrote:

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:
Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

You seem to be basing your opinion on this on the fact that Ortiz is old...why would that factor into Joshua's thinking? He doesn't owe Ortiz a shot. If Ortiz earns it with performances (which I think is highly debatable at this stage) which promise a decent fight and good commercial returns then fair enough.
The fact that Ortiz is old and has limited time is irrelevant.

He is the best heavyweight aside from aj. Age is relevant, it was relevant when floyd shouldve fought pac in 2008 instead of waiting 6 years. Now its the same. Ortiz did enough. Certainly more than pulev. Fight needs to happen asap

I don't think I understand.
Why should Joshua do Ortiz a favour?
As I said, if it represents the best fight because Ortiz is the best in terms of record and commercial clout then fair enough; I would not begrudge him a crack at Joshua's titles.
But just saying he should fight Ortiz now because he is getting on a bit and might not be around much longer doesn't make sense. By that rationale he should fight Briggs and Haye as well because they wont be round much longer.

Jip wrote:

cpfc_fan wrote:

Jip wrote:
Ortiz has limited time. Aj needs to fight him now. Enough waiting.

You seem to be basing your opinion on this on the fact that Ortiz is old...why would that factor into Joshua's thinking? He doesn't owe Ortiz a shot. If Ortiz earns it with performances (which I think is highly debatable at this stage) which promise a decent fight and good commercial returns then fair enough.
The fact that Ortiz is old and has limited time is irrelevant.

He is the best heavyweight aside from aj. Age is relevant, it was relevant when floyd shouldve fought pac in 2008 instead of waiting 6 years. Now its the same. Ortiz did enough. Certainly more than pulev. Fight needs to happen asap

He is not even close to being the second best Heavyweight, nor is he more deserving than Pulev. Pulev has a better resume.

..how's almost everyone so crazy about Ortiz? I'd never heard of him until he fought Jennings 2 years ago and won..wow! lo and behold! everyone's been on his bandwagon since then, I still wonder why..