Joshua’s huge wealth has taken away his hunger for boxing, says Atlas

[FILES] Anthony Joshua. Photo/facebook/anthonyjoshuaboxer

Teddy Atlas believes Anthony Joshua’s huge wealth that he’s amassed during his nine-year professional career has eroded his hunger for boxing, reports boxingnews24.com.

Unsurprisingly, the experienced former trainer, Atlas, is picking unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, to defeat Joshua in their rematch on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The two fighters have a different outlook going into their rematch, and Atlas sees Usyk as wanting it more and willing to do what it takes to get the victory.

Atlas feels Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) is just going through the motions and disengaged mentally, having lost his hunger because of his massive bank account.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Joshua’s net worth is $80 million, which is a drop in the bucket for the money he’s going to make before his career is over.

When you have that kind of wealth, it’s got to be hard for Joshua to stay focused on the sport because he can go anywhere, buy anything, and live a life of luxury without the labour and pain involved in boxing.

“Joshua is no spring chicken; they’re both getting up there. I don’t know who’s older, but he’s getting up there a little,” Atlas said.

“He’s (Joshua) made a lot of money, and you must put that into the factor. Are you as hungry? He’s made a lot of money. I don’t know if he is (hungry),” continued Atlas about his belief that Joshua has lost his hunger for the sport due to his immense wealth.

“I think he showed the possibility of being influenced in those dimensions when he fought at Madison Square Garden and got knocked out by (Andy) Ruiz. He didn’t look like a hungry guy, he didn’t,” he added.

“He came back, give him credit, he came back and got the title