British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua has opened up on why he did not recognise Nigeria after defeating Francis Ngannou.
It would be recalled that Anthony Joshua defeated Francis Ngannou in the second round of their exhilarating heavyweight bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 8.
Social users berated Joshua for not mentioning Nigeria while giving his post-victory speech in the boxing stadium.
Anthony Joshua gave a hearty salute to the people of Saudi Arabia, Francis Ngannou’s Cameroon, and his supporters in London.
The boxer was criticised for his actions as a result, sparking a lot of speculation and conversation.
Joshua, however, in a recent exclusive interview, addressed the matter directly throughout the conversation, acknowledging the concerns expressed by both fans and the media.
He claimed to have struggled with internal distractions and several issues in the lead-up to the fight, forcing him to focus only on his mental preparation and performance in the ring.
He added that the challenges and expectations that athletes of his stature, stressing the importance of resilience and self-care while facing criticism.
In his words:
“When I lost my last match, Nigerians were the people who trolled me and made mockery of me. Learn to show love to those losing, not only those winning.
“Those at the bottom need love, care, and support more than those at the top. When someone is falling, hold them; don’t wait to make a mockery of them. They are my people, and I love them still.“
