Anthony Joshua sets record straight on Black Lives Matter speech ahead of seismic Tyson Fury fight

Anthony Joshua defended his controversial Black Lives Matter rally speech, saying the remarks were written by someone else and that he understood their meaning as he delivered them. The comments surfaced amid build-up to his December 11 fight against Tyson Fury. Footage shared by Fury showed Joshua speaking at a protest in Watford in June 2020, shortly after George Floyd’s death. In the speech, Joshua urged people to “abstain from spending your money in their shops” and support black-owned businesses, and he also called for “inject the vaccine” against racism. Joshua told the Telegraph the clip had been taken out of context and acknowledged it could sound like he was promoting division. He said he joined the rally because he believed what happened to Floyd was wrong. Fury has mocked him and questioned Joshua’s recent move of corporate address to Dubai. The bout is scheduled for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, and Joshua said he wanted it in Britain. Joshua also answered questions about Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, saying he believes they want him to lose, and made a sharp remark about responding if that happens.