Why Anthony Joshua does not want to be in a wheelchair after retiring from boxing

Anthony Joshua is concerned about not living out his retirement nursing his boxing wounds.

In a recent interview, the former heavyweight champion from London stated that he saw his health as a significant component of his legacy.

In an interview with Men's Health, Joshua reaffirmed his desire to retire and live a full life.

He said, “In boxing, people walk in the gym one way and not many walk out the same way, because of the trauma and the stuff they put their body through,”

“I want my legacy to be, I walked out healthy. Imagine me at the age of 50 or 60 in a wheelchair—fragile because of the trauma I put my body through. 

"My legacy should be when I'm old, I'm still fresh. I want people to say, ‘Oh wow, he still looks good, he still looks after himself.’ That's a legacy.”

The 33-year-old Joshua recently defeated Jermaine Franklin on a unanimous decision, marking his first victory since suffering back-to-back defeats to Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk of the WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO. 

Joshua fought for the first time under the direction of coach Derrick James, who is best known for developing undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo and unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.  

In December in the Middle East, Joshua might face Deontay Wilder, a former champion, or Tyson Fury, the WBC champion. 

Depending on the outcome of the December bout, there has been speculation that Joshua would make a comeback in the summer.

On the fight in December, he said, “In December potentially there is a big fight that should be cracking with me and Wilder.

"It has been a long time coming. There are a lot of moving shapes at the minute, a lot of things happening, so one step at a time. But it has been a long time coming, for sure.”

Joshua continues to continue training with Derrick James in the United States of America (USA) ahead of his return later in the year.