Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony ‘AJ’ Joshua talks openly about his American darkness retreat.
“All your senses get shutdown.” The British fighter opens up about his recent trip to a darkness retreat called the The Sky Cave Dark Retreat, in Oregon, USA. Joshua told this weeks ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’ that his time spent at the retreat made him realise that he was “Stronger than he thought.”
Anthony Joshua Return To Form?
Anthony Joshua has returned to his knock out form in his most recent performances. Joshua disclosed that he went on the five day retreat in October. Less than two months before fighting Otto Wallin (26-2). The Swedish fighter retired in his corner before the start of the fifth round. Joshua returned to the ring in Saudi Arabia in March to face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (0-2) who lost a controversial split decsion to Tyson Fury. Anthony Joshua knocked Ngannou out in stunning fashion in the second round when the pair met.
Could this return to form be a result of his stay at the retreat? Joshua highlighted how the experience required him to be left in complete darkness. “It was completely pitch black, no sound, no communication with anyone. All your senses get shut down.” Joshua has certainly appeared rejuvenated following his back to back losses to Oleksander Usyk and a heavily criticised performance following his points victory over American Jermaine Franklin (22-2).
Joshua further stated to Jonathon Ross that “I didn’t realise how tired I was. Just sat from Monday to Friday. It was phenomenal, a good experience and much needed. would I do it again? Because I’ve experienced it once…its harder than I thought, but I’m stronger than I thought, so I put myself in that situation.” The former two time unified champions return to form has being muchly accredited to his partnership with new trainer, Ben Davison. Davison has been in the corner for his last two knockout victories and has placed much emphasis on they have worked on AJ’s mindset, rather than his style. There is no doubt AJ appears to have rediscovered his knockout power that previously made him a fan favourite.
What’s Next?
What’s next for Anthony Joshua appears to be reliant on the outcome of Tyson Fury vs Oleksander Usyk. Rumours are circulating that he could potentially face Daniel Dubois (20-2) or Filip Hrgovic (17-0) or the winner if the two face off before an AJ cannot be agreed. Dillian Whyte (30-3) has also called out Anthony Joshua for a rematch. Following his recent return to boxing. Whyte took some time out of the sport following a failed drugs test, which was a result of a contaminated supplements. Ironically, in the build up to a fight with AJ. Speaking to IFLTV Eddie Hearn dashed any possibility of the fight happening next. Stating that they are focused on winning a third heavyweight championship and ultimately becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Who would like to see AJ fight next? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
