Anthony Joshua says it is a ‘shame’ that he was subjected to vile abuse after picture of him praying in a mosque

ANTHONY JOSHUA admits it was a "shame" he was subjected to online abuse after being pictured praying in a mosque.

SunSport told you how the IBF world heavyweight champion faced a barrage of criticism after sharing the image on social media.

Joshua was shown knelt in prayer in the holy building in Dubai while on holiday.

But he is adamant the anti-Muslim abuse will not distract him ahead of his blockbuster bout with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.

Joshua said: "I posted in that respect and it's a shame it had that backlash but I can't control how people think. As long as my intentions are pure, that's what counts.

"Religion is supposed to be a positive thing. When you look at the true religions around the world, not the fundamentalists.

"You always have to go with what your spirit tells you not what people advise you. I'm a man that will always follow my own path.

"One of my best friends is a Muslim guy and we were in Dubai, which is (in) an Islamic country.

"We were on a tour of Dubai and we went to the mosque and it was afternoon prayer so I asked him to pray for me ahead of the Klitschko fight, for good will.

"He asked me to join in and I joined in and someone took a picture and I took it from Instagram and posted it. Out of good faith."

And, appearing to reference the late Muhammad Ali, who joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, Joshua said he did not anticipate people reacting like they did.

He said: "One of my idols in the boxing industry is Muslim. I didn't think it would have the backlash."