Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has suffered a left knee injury that will sideline him for at least the next four weeks, promoter Eddie Hearn told BoxingScene.com on Saturday.
The British boxer has not been hiding his injury, as he was seen around the UK streets earlier this week standing and sitting with a bulky knee brace on a mobile scooter.
Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) recently felt a twinge in his knee while running, but there doesn’t seem to be immediate concern from Hearn, who anticipates for Joshua to rest for the next month before resuming training for mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev later this winter.
Joshua’s brace is being used as a precautionary measure. He will be further evaluated by doctors in the coming weeks.
On Saturday, the 30-year-old Joshua joined the masses for a Black Lives Matter march and protest in Watford and took the microphone to deliver a powerful message on racial inequality in the world.
Anthony Joshua makes his voice heard at today's Black Lives Matter protests in Watford. pic.twitter.com/48cJgFxG4x
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) June 6, 2020
“We can no longer, from today onwards, sit back and remain silent on the senseless, unlawful killing, sly racism of another human being based on what? Only their skin color,” said Joshua. “We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations, just like this today.”
Joshua was wearing a Black Lives Matter hoodie and delivered the message to his massive, multi-million social media following. He was seen throughout the day hobbling around on crutches and used a scooter to travel.
“We must not use a demonstration for selfish motives and turn it into rioting and looting. We need to be united in non-violent demonstration, show them where it hurts,” Joshua continued. “Abstain from spending your money in their shops, and spend in economies that invest in black businesses. And that’s for all communities if you want to uplift yourself. Invest in your own businesses.
“We have to engage with the youth and put an end to black youth gang culture … This postcode war, how many houses do we own on that postcode we’re fighting for?
“Every life matters, 100 percent I agree with that. But that does include black lives and that’s why we’re here today.
“George Floyd, we’re all aware of his name, was the catalyst in a list that is already way, way, way too long. But ask yourself a question – how does the looting for the latest flat screen TV help him or his family?
“How does burning down shops or taking another life stop the virus from spreading, and remember the virus we’re talking about is racism.”
–boxingscene.com
