Anthony Joshua not motivated by belts or the money

By Simon Crawford

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Anthony Joshua insists fighting is nothing more than fun after his sensational victory over Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night.

The 27-year-old stopped the former world champion in the 11th round of an enthralling contest in front of a sold out 90,000 crowd at Wembley.

Joshua now holds the IBF, IBO and WBA heavyweight titles and knows there are plenty more big nights ahead.

"I'm a champion outside the ring first and foremost. I'm a good man, a family man and I love life. That's what's important," he said.

"I'm just having fun with it. Things could be a lot worse so I'm just enjoying fighting - I'm very chilled out about boxing.

"The fighting is fun. I don't box just for the belts or for the money... I enjoy it and the discipline it brings.

"How am I feeling at the minute? Like I did before I won this fight.

"I'm happy, if anything, that it was a great fight, because there was a lot of hype, a lot of attention around the fight, and I'm glad it lived up to expectations; that's it.

"Celebrate? I'm going to sleep until midday for once and then pop round to my family's house. I want to catch up with them and go back to normal living.

"But the biggest thing I've learned is that I can knock out anybody. I'm not the best at everything but what I am good at I'll do to my best. 

"There are more good nights to come with so many young, up and coming heavyweights coming through. They have not got the experience of Wlad but they are very talented and I can mingle with them.

"Wlad tested me with his experience but these other guys will be raw and hungry like myself."

Joshua was quick to pay tribute to Klitschko after both men had been on the canvas during a fight of the year contender.

The Briton was in a bad way when he was floored in the sixth but bravely worked his way back into the fight before producing an explosive finish to stop the 41-year-old.

"If you get knocked down eight times you get up nine. That's what life's about," said Joshua.

"You keep going no matter how many times you get put down. To get knocked down, hurt someone, get hurt, take someone out in the championship rounds where I've never been before: it's testament to what training's about.

"I didn't think I was behind but I didn't want the fight to be as close as it was  - I wanted to go out there and dominate. 

"It never crossed my mind I had taken the fight too soon in my career, I'm here to fight. If I hadn't have fought him people would have complained anyway.

"He's been very dominant. He took a loss against Tyson Fury. I kept hearing the 'obsession and the passion' to get the victory.

"He came to show what he was about, that he still had it. I knew it was going to be tough for him, because I wanted to do the same.

"Maybe against anyone else in the division he may have come out on top. I have the ultimate respect for what he's achieved inside and outside of the ring.

"Fair play to him because at 41 he doesn't have to fight but he wants to challenge the young lions so big respect for that.

"I wouldn't mind fighting him again; if he wants a rematch no problem." 

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes Joshua earned the biggest reward for being prepared to take on the toughest challenge in the heavyweight division.

"Every time Anthony has stepped through the ropes he has entertained, but he most impressive thing is that he is learning his trade under this intense pressure," said Hearn.

"Other people are going 35 or 36 fights, boxing eight or 10 rounds in intercontinental fights, having intercontinental defences, world title eliminators, final eliminators but he's been thrown in under the utmost pressure.

"He's still a relative novice in terms of his career and yes he made mistakes, but what he's never had to show too much of - except against Dillian Whyte - was a tremendous heart and a great chin... and he showed both.

"He got knocked down in the sixth and it was more out of fatigue, but I wondered if he would get up from that. But he did and got hit with more huge shots but what you have to do is respect the fact he is taking these fights.

"I wish I could tell you it was me making these brave decision but it's him calling the shots. It was the ultimate gamble with the ultimate reward and with the way he won he's now the biggest name in British sport and world boxing.

"But this is just the beginning for Anthony Joshua."