Anthony Joshua vows to 'reign again' after a shock defeat in New York

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AJ: First loss was a relief
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua insists his first defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr was a relief, but vows to 'reign again' ahead of their rematch.
Anthony Joshua admits his first defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr was 'kind of a relief'
Anthony Joshua insists he will regain the IBF, WBA and WBO titles and "reign again" in the heavyweight division, ahead of his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.
Joshua's first defeat as a professional boxer came when he was stopped in the seventh round against underdog Ruiz Jr in New York on June 1.
However, the former heavyweight champion has a chance to get revenge on the Mexican when the pair fight for a second time on December 7 in Saudi Arabia, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Ruiz Jr stopped Joshua in round seven in New York
Ruiz Jr stopped Joshua in round seven in New York
Joshua insists he will "reign again" as world heavyweight champion, but admits it was "kind of a relief" to suffer the first defeat.
When asked how long it took him to get over the loss, Joshua told Sky Sports News: "About three weeks. I used to sleep and I'd be thinking about it - I lost.
"But it's cool. The blessing is that I've got solid people around me that have been with me since day one. They know me as AJ. That is a good thing.
10:08
Joshua extended interview
Watch our extended interview with Anthony Joshua
Watch our extended interview with Anthony Joshua
"Even though I lost, it was only in my quiet times like going to bed or something like that, that I really thought about it.
"In a weird way, it was kind of like a relief. I'm quite a strong-minded person. I find opportunities even in the worst type of cases.
"I don't hide from any situation. You could fill out this arena and I could talk about all my losses in life, and I'm proud of them. I'm not going to shy away from them anyway."
Heavyweight rival Deontay Wilder admits he would prefer Ruiz Jr to win the rematch as he feels Joshua does not have the desire to unify the division in 2020.
Ruiz Jr will aim to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles for the first time in Saudi Arabia
Ruiz Jr will aim to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles for the first time in Saudi Arabia
Should Joshua lose again, his hopes of a title unification fight are all but over, although when asked if he will be nervous come fight night, the 30-year-old replied: "No way. I'm never nervous.
"Look at the last fight I was about half asleep in the ring! I'm never nervous. I know I'm good.
"When you know you're good at something you don't make it the biggest thing in your life, the biggest thing in my life is actually training.
"Fighting isn't hard. Fighting and winning aren't hard. It's the training every day, having the right people around you every day. Honestly, that is the biggest fight in my life. The winning is easy, that takes care of itself."
Watch Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2 in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, December 7, live on Sky Sports Box Office.