Anthony Joshua goes on offensive as he SLAMS Carl Froch and Amir Khan for ‘talking S*** about me’

Anthony Joshua warmed up for knocking Saturday night’s comeback opponent into ‘a grave of his own digging’ by picking off his critics in the ranks of retired legends of the British ring.

AJ’s future has been called into doubt by several ex-champions turned TV analysts following the two successive defeats by Olexsandr Usyk which stripped him of his collection of world heavyweight titles.

Johnny Nelson, Tony Bellew, Carl Froch and Amir Khan are among several who have cast aspersions about Joshua coming to the end of his career.

On the approach to the cross-roads collision with American puncher Jermaine Franklin at London’s 02 Arena Joshua hit back, saying: ’These people don’t get me. Not on my wavelength. Not at my level.

‘I don’t use boxing as a platform to rant and rave and disrespect other fighters.

Anthony Joshua will make his long-awaited return to the ring this weekend at O2 Arena

Carl Froch (above) and Amir Khan are among several TV critics who have upset Joshua

‘If these people have something to say, say it to me. They have my number. Call me.

‘If I have something to say about about you , I’ll say it face to face.

‘I won’t talk about my enemies on line. I prefer to stay silent. These people want me to talk back but why should I get dragged in by clowns?

‘When it was Carl talking s*** about me I messaged him direct to ask what it was all about.

‘When it was Amir and that s*** about me with his wife why did he go online? At least message me.

‘And then when I see these guys at a fight or somewhere they’re coming up and saying hi AJ how are you? How does that work?

‘Where I come from it’s not about getting clouts it’s about results.’

Joshua finished cleaning house by sorting out his trainer for the Usyk fights, Robert Garcia, thus: ‘He went public about some difficult days in those training camps. Said nothing about the good work.

‘Weird. We don’t do that. There are always some problems in long camps. So why did he go there.

When talk turned to preparations under his new coach, esteemed Texan Derrick James, for dealing witth Franklin, Joshua said: ‘We’ve changed up a few things.

Two-time heavyweight world champion faces Jermaine Franklin (R) at London’s 02 Arena

‘I never disrespect my opponents. But I intend winning this fight and despite what’s been said about retirement there will be no decisions about the future until this fight is over.

‘What I will say now is that the more Franklin talks about knocking me on my arse the deeper he is digging his own grave. There will be blood Saturday night.

‘And by the way, after I win this one I will consider it an honour to finally fight Tyson Fury next.

‘Especially for the WBC title. If he would like us to do it.’

Joshua v Franklin wil be broadcast live on the DAZN streaming network this Saturday night.