Anthony Joshua says he will keep fighting after his devastating knockout loss to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
Joshua fell behind from the start and never recovered. Dubois made sure of the win in five rounds.
Despite his four-fight winning streak being unexpectedly halted, Joshua has rejected suggestions he could retire from the sport.
“Of course I still want to continue fighting,” Joshua said in his post-fight press conference.
“We tried to break through but failed. Are we going to run away now or live to fight another day? I am a warrior.”
Joshua was attempting to join the likes of greats Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko in becoming three-time world heavyweight champions.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, asked the 34-year-old not to attend the news conference but his fighter remained adamant he wanted to make a statement to the media.
Joshua, who had bruises under both eyes and on his neck, did not take any questions but did give a statement.
“Always walk with your head held high,” he said.
“We rolled the dice. There were 13 fights for the world title, not all of them successful, but all of them fun and entertaining.
“We want to make history for British boxing and I think we are doing that.”
Nearly 500,000 fans have watched Joshua headline six British stadium bouts. His contribution to the development of British boxing is undeniable.
This was Joshua’s first world title fight. lost his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk In August 2022 for the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO belts.