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SPORTS Friday 24 March 2023

Joshua facing pressure, new reality ahead of comeback fight

By STEVE DOUGLAS four fights in 2023 to build
AP Sports Writer him back up for a shot at
For so long the poster boy being world champion for
of boxing’s heavyweight a third time.
division, Anthony Joshua With the heavyweight di-
has been facing a new re- vision in flux after the col-
ality in recent months. lapse of Fury-Usyk, that title
Suddenly, the British fighter shot could yet come much
is on the outside looking in. quicker.
His star has fallen even his “I’m going to be flexible,
promoter acknowledges keep a flexible mindset, be
that in the wake of punish- open-minded,” said Josh-
ing, back-to-back losses to ua, who spoke of wanting
Oleksandr Usyk that have his world titles back within
led many to question Josh- “12-16 months.”
ua’s ability, even as a two- It all hinges on beating
time world champion. Franklin, an American who
“You can’t be like, ‘Man, lost for the first time in his
it’s been tough, you know, 22-fight professional ca-
life’s been down,’” Joshua reer in a majority decision
told the Associated Press. against Dillian White in Lon-
“You always have to walk don in November.
with your head held high, “I’m a promoter, I’m hyp-
chest out. Britain’s Anthony Joshua takes part in a public workout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Aug. ing the fight, but I am ner-
“It’s a different perspective 16, 2022 as he prepares for the upcoming world heavyweight title boxing fight against Ukraine’s vous,” Hearn said.
for me now, but it’s not one Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has another trainer
that rules me or makes any Associated Press a third different one in as
difference to my behav- American boxer Jermaine was even tweeting excit- Madison Square Garden in many fights for the Franklin
ior.” Franklin in London for his edly on Thursday about a June 2019. bout, with Derrick James in
So, while the biggest first fight since losing the re- potential all-British fight with Even Hearn would struggle his corner.
heavyweight fights are be- match against Usyk in Sau- Fury next up followed by, to sell Joshua as a credible Joshua has been with
ing made or, in the case di Arabia in August. It’s the somewhat optimistically, heavyweight force in that James, who also has Errol
of the collapsed bout be- first time in 13 fights, stretch- a fight to be undisputed case. Spence Jr. in his stable, in
tween Usyk and Tyson Fury, ing back to December champion. And deep down, Joshua a training camp held ex-
not made around him, 2015, that Joshua won’t be Lose to Franklin, though, in knows it. clusively in Dallas during
Joshua is adapting to his attempting to either retain a fight being televised by “This is what I’ve signed up which the Brit says he has
new status and beginning or regain a world title. the DAZN streaming ser- for, this is what I want, and dedicated himself solely to
a fresh phase in his career. Win, and Joshua with his vice, and Joshua’s career I’m going to live up to the boxing and avoided dis-
The hunter, as opposed to brand and standing will no will be hanging in the bal- expectation,” Joshua told tractions.
the hunted. doubt be thrust back in the ance. It would be three the AP. “He is the truth, you know,”
The pressure, however, is conversation for world title straight losses or four in six After the second loss to Joshua said of James, who
still very much on him. fights. fights taking in the shocking Usyk, Hearn spoke of Josh- he seems to regard as a
On April 1, Joshua takes on Eddie Hearn, his promoter, defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. at ua likely having three or permanent trainer. q

Track bans transgender athletes, tightens rules for Semenya

By EDDIE PELLS elite levels of track. no easy answers on this ment differences, such as ia, are not transgender, al-
AP National Writer Another set of updates, for topic, which has turned Semenya and Olympic though the two issues share
Track and field banned athletes with differences into a societal lightning rod 200-meter silver medalist similarities when it comes to
transgender athletes from in sex development (DSD), involving advocates who Christine Mboma of Namib- sports.q
international competition could impact up to 13 cur- want people assigned fe-
Thursday, while adopting rent high-level runners, WA male at birth to be able to
new regulations that could President Sebastian Coe compete on even footing
keep Caster Semenya and said. They include Seme- and others who don’t want
other athletes with differ- nya, a two-time Olympic to discriminate against
ences in sex development champion at 800 meters, transgender and DSD ath-
from competing. who has been barred from letes.
In a pair of decisions ex- that event since 2019. “All the decisions we’ve
pected to stoke outrage, Semenya and others taken have their challeng-
the World Athletics Coun- had been able to com- es,” Coe said. “If that’s the
cil adopted the same rules pete without restrictions in case, then we will do what
as swimming did last year events outside the range we have done in the past,
in deciding to bar athletes of 400 meters through one which is vigorously defend
who have transitioned from mile but now will have to our position. And the over-
male to female and have undergo hormone-sup- arching principle for me is
gone through male puber- pressing treatment for six we will always do what we
ty. months before competing think is in the best interest of South Africa’s Caster Semenya is shown at the Diamond League
No such athletes currently to be eligible. our sport.” athletics event in Doha, Qatar, May 3, 2019.
compete at the highest Coe conceded there are Athletes with sex develop- Associated Press