Anthony Joshua Set For Elbow Surgery, Says ‘I Can’t Punch Properly’
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the two-time heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, 35, who has been out of action since suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, has confirmed that he will undergo elbow surgery later this month.
OTN News further reports that Joshua who had since then, struggled with an injury that has left him “unable to punch properly,” forcing him to pause full-scale training, disclosed that he is trying to get his body right.
Joshua told DAZN, “I’m trying to get my body right. I’ve got to have a little surgery on my elbow—sometime in May. Once I’m healed, I’ll be back.”
OTN News observes that the operation is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, dashing hopes of a June or July return previously targeted by his promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Although fans continue to buzz over a potential showdown with Tyson Fury, but Joshua is firmly focused on recovery, OTN News further observes.
“If I want to be here for the long term, I just want to make sure my body is good before I get back into the ring,” he added.
“In boxing, being good isn’t enough. To be a world champion, you have to be great. I was good in my last fight—but not great.”
Despite recent setbacks, Joshua has not ruled out a future clash with Fury, telling the Daily Mail: “We’ll save that conversation for another time. Same question, same answer—nothing’s changed.”
“I think what we’ll do for the viewers at home is go back over the years and find the same answer for the same question. Same same, nothing changed.”
On his recovery, he added: “My body has been through the works innit. If I want to be here for the long time I just want to make sure my body is really really good before I get back into the ring.
“Sooner than later. I’m still training but I’m just kind of rebuilding.
“What it is basically… to be good is not enough in boxing, if you want to be a world champion, you’ve got to be great.
“Throughout the last year or so, especially my last fight, I was good but not great. If surgery goes well, Anthony could be in contention to fight at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s two former rivals Usyk and Dubois are set to face off in an undisputed heavyweight title match in July.
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