By Paul Murphy
Anthony Joshua’s championship status will be weakened if he is forced to give up one of his belts because of mandatory requirements. Joshua vowed to “stand as a champion” if he is forced to vacate a world heavyweight title and warned “I’ll get it back again“.
In reality, Joshua’s status as undisputed world heavyweight champion will be weaker if two other legtimate championship belts are held by other champions. Deontey Wilder already holds the WBC belt and has defended it for four years
Joshua regained his WBA ‘super, IBF and WBO belts with a landslide victory over Andy Ruiz Jr last month and has been ordered to make title defences against Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk, his IBF and WBO mandatory challengers.
REPRESENT
However, Joshua told Sky Sports the belts don’t represent him.
”I always said the belts do not represent me,” Joshua said”I will stand as a champion, even if I have to give one up.
“It would give me an opportunity to face another world champion – I’ve beaten four world champions on my record now.
“If I give up a belt it creates more history and entertainment. If I have to, I’ll give it away – but I’ll get it back again.”
If a new champion were to pick up a belt given up by Joshua, they would not be regarded a true world champion since they did not beat any world champion to gain that status. It is in Joshua’s interest to fulfil both his mandatory obligations , rather than find an reason to justify given on e of them up.