Joshua slams criticism of social distancing, updates fans on mystery injury

Anthony Joshua has hit back at criticism for attending a Black Lives Matter protest with two statements on social media.

The British boxing hero joined hundreds of peaceful protesters to take to the streets in his home town of Watford, where he was pictured on crutches wearing a leg brace.

The march was one of many to take place across the globe in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis last week.

And his recent knee injury was not going to stop AJ doing his bit to support the fight for racial equality with Joshua hobbling on crutches.

The unified WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight world champion, wearing a Black Lives Matter hoodie, even took to microphone to tell the crowd “we can no longer remain silent” in a rousing speech against social injustice.

But some observers on social media were quick to criticise Joshua, and fellow protesters, for not wearing a face mask despite coronavirus regulations.

And AJ wrote: “I understand the concerns in regards to social distancing.

“However I hope those who are complaining about social distancing have the same energy about those gathering for a day at the beach [and] those going to the park for a picnic.”

Fans were also quick to take note of the 30-year-old’s leg brace which promoter Eddie Hearn has subsequently confirmed is for a minor knee injury.

Joshua injured his knee while running but it should have no bearing on his preparations to fight Kubrat Pulev later this year, with latest reports claiming it could take place as early as September.

“I buss my knee running miles in the woods.

“Doc said take all weight off it for two/three weeks.

“Still training, still active, still punching. Two weeks to [go], then it’s off.”

He was first seen wearing the leg brace earlier this week, as he zoomed around central London on a mobility scooter among friends.

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Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted he is very confident of landing a deal to secure back-to-back Joshua versus Fury fights next year.

But Fury’s promoter recently expressed fears that AJ does not want an mouth-watering Battle of Britain clash with the Gypsy King, 31, any time soon.