Joshua reveals why he visited Nigeria as a non-champion
Anthony Joshua has revealed why he opted to visit Nigeria after losing his world titles in devastating fashion on June 1, 2019, in the US.
Across the boxing world AJ’s defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. was seen as an opportunity for the Olympic gold medalist to undergo a firm reality check.
Although, Joshua later regained his world titles months later,but in between, he decided to visit his homeland in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Apple’s ‘Songs for Life’ recently, the 30-year-old Joshua explained why he opted for the moment after leaving Nigeria for the UK as a child.
“When I went to Nigeria the first time in maybe 17 years, I went there as a non-champion. And it was fine to go back, but people say, “Why did you come back as a non-champion?” I say, “Because you respect me as a person whether I have the belts or not. Don’t ever judge me for that. You respect me first,” said Joshua.
“So that was my message as well and it was just the right time. When you’re winning, everyone wants a piece of you. When I had lost, I had more time to do what I wanted to do.
“So it was just a time to go back and see family or friends.
Previously, Anthony Joshua had visited Nigeria for six months when he was just eleven.
“So what happened I think where parents find it difficult is that let’s say you’re earning a thousand pounds a month in the UK. But rather than just getting the best things here in the UK and establishing yourself, there’ll be a situation where they’re still trying to build back home.
“So there was going back and forth. So my mum wanted to go back and do some business there. So what I thought was a holiday was actually me going to school.
“So that’s just the way it is in a lot of these communities where it’s home to my mum, but for me, I remember just crying, walking down this long stretch of about 300 meters into boarding school. A complete culture shock.
“And when I say culture shock is because of the way of the Nigerians. When you land at Nigerian Airport, you know you’re in Nigeria. You know you’re on your own. No police can save you. I mean, you got to make sure you’ve got your people, you know who you’re dealing with, someone’s coming to pick you up, that type of vibe.
“So when I got there, it was just a massive culture shock that this isn’t a territory I’m familiar with. So I just had to pick it up quickly and I settled in quick.
“And before I know it, I was back in the UK because my mum’s business didn’t go to plan. And here we are, again, we’re back to the estate with my friends.
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“I’ve just got a bit more of a Nigerian accent behind me now. Yeah, it was a good experience. And that was the last time I went since last year and this time I went back as a champion.
“So it was important. I took my belts out there, connected with the people. So yeah, it means a lot that we went there. My cousin went there. My son went there for the first time, stuff like that. So it was good.”