Anthony Joshua must prove he still has stomach for fight after Andy Ruiz Jr humiliation, wants Frank Bruno
FRANK BRUNO told Anthony Joshua to bounce back all guns blazing - and prove he still has the stomach for a firefight in the ring.
AJ was shot down by 19st outsider Andy Ruiz Jr in New York on June 1, losing his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
But he will dive straight back into a rematch against the Mexican at the end of the year.
And national treasure Bruno wants to see Joshua back to his ruthless best, proving he still has the heart to pull the trigger.
The former heavyweight world champion, 57, said: "I feel for Anthony Joshua - but everybody has their problems and sometimes in life you’ve got to lose.
"You can’t win all the time and it tests your character.
"Some people when they lose they get gun shy, they give up, their inspiration goes.
I feel for Anthony Joshua - but everybody has their problems and sometimes in life you’ve got to lose. You can’t win all the time and it tests your character
Frank Bruno
"But it will be interesting to see how he comes through.
"I hope he does come through it because he’s a good trainer and ambassador for British boxing.
"A lot of kids are looking up to him - and I hope he still goes on to do very well."
'SOME PEOPLE LOSE THE PLOT'
Bruno dealt with huge pressure during his glittering career, carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders before Lennox Lewis’ emergence.
The former WBC king, who bravely faced monster Mike Tyson twice, had advice for AJ on handling the comeback trail.
And also for Daniel Dubois, the next generation of British boxing star.
The 21-year-old South Londoner is shunning the limelight for his British title shot against Nathan Gorman on July 13.
And Bruno said: "It is a hard thing but sometimes in life you just keep your feet on the ground and keep it real.
"You can be famous one minute and not the next. You must stay focused and humble.
"Some people go on TV, get a little bit of publicity and it will go to their head.
"We’re all human beings, you just have to keep focused and balanced. Don’t get carried away with the b******* people write about you, putting you down.
"It’s important to focus on boxing. Some people lose the plot.
"They get too big-headed and believe the hype.
"Money and fame is just plastic, it’s not what’s in your heart or in your head."
Dynamite Dubois, who famously dropped AJ in sparring in 2016 when only a rising prospect, was not interested in complaints that late-replacement Ruiz was all wrong for AJ’s style.
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Dubois said: "Ruiz got knocked down but got up and just carried on with his gameplan.
"He was there to win the fight and nothing can be taken away from him.
"A fight is a fight and you have to deal with it whichever way it comes - there is no time for moaning or whining. That’s my mentality.
Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Dubois v Gorman and Joyce v Brennings are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster.