AJ: I’M JUST HERE TO BE CHAMPION
ANTHONY JOSHUA claims he does not know what sportswashing is after being challenged over staging his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis are trying to improve their global image by funding major sporting events and Joshua and Usyk will share a £65million pot for ‘The Rage on the Red Sea’ in Jeddah on August 20. Joshua, 32, tried to keep out of the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia, insisting he is just focussed on winning back his WBA Super, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.
Quizzed over allegations of Saudi sportswashing, the two-time world champion said: “I don’t know what that is.
“I’m here to win the heavyweight champion of the world. I like Saudi. I think Saudi’s good. I’m having a good time here. I’m treated really well.
“All that allegation stuff, for me, I’m not caught up in any of that stuff.
“I’m here to have a good time, mix with the local people, bring entertainment to Saudi.”