Johnny Nelson has suggested Anthony Joshua is now "fighting with ego" after labouring to a comeback win over Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua returned to the ring after back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, when he outpointed American contender Franklin by unanimous decision in London last weekend. Despite getting back to winning ways, 'AJ' faced further criticism for his display in the victory, with many suggesting he was once again a shadow of his former power-punching self.
After the fight, Joshua admitted he was unhappy with his performance and was disappointed to not close the show after displaying glimpses of his heavy hitting. And cruiserweight champion Nelson believes Joshua has lost his natural desire to compete in the ring which showed in his last appearance.
“I love AJ, I like him. I think his natural instinct and fire and desire has gone. I think he’s now fighting on ego," Nelson told iFL TV when assessing Joshua's latest win over Franklin. "You look round at ringside and you see members of his tam with heads in their hands and I personally think he’s now fighting for the wrong reasons and that effects your appetite.
"It effects your reasoning, it effects your drive. I think he actually tried to box with more intent but he’s 33 years-old. There are certain things he’s doing now that he shouldn’t be doing, when he’s in the clinch looking over to his corner, mid fight, you just don’t do that. At 33 years old you should know what you’re doing. At 33 years old, I’m not saying he’s over the hill, but he should know better by now.”
It was Joshua's first fight under the stewardship of new trainer Derrick James having split with one-fight coach Robert Garcia following his rematch loss to Usyk. It is now set to be a tough road ahead of the former two-time champion who is hoping he can breathe new life into his career and return to the summit of the division.
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Despite greeting fans happily and calling out Tyson Fury after the final bell, Joshua seemed subdued after a difficult time in the ring with Franklin who showed rugged determination and solid defence. And the 33-year-old has suggested he needs to now move on and focus on his future despite being left frustrated.
“Deep, deep, deep down, I’m not happy because ultimately the ultimate goal was a knockout," he said. "There’s nothing that can top a knockout. Anything short of that isn’t what I’m happy with. “There was opportunities,” Joshua said. “There was opportunities for sure where I pushed [for a knockout].
"But you know what as well? I’m fighting someone who come in with a plan to win. He said he’s fit, he’s fresher. So, yeah, he done well. He done well to stay in there. I wish I could have taken him out.”
