Miami’s Kaseya Center was still buzzing long after Anthony Joshua had done what he does best: win.
By the time he made his way toward the post-fight press conference, the heavy lifting in the ring was already done.
Jake Paul had been stopped decisively, and Joshua’s hand had once again been raised.
But the real story wasn’t just the knockout—it was what happened afterward.
The moments following the fight revealed a man who wasn’t simply basking in triumph, but dissecting it.
Already analyzing, already seeking more.
Walking Through Victory
Joshua didn’t dash off like some fighters do.
Instead, he invited me to walk with him from the dressing room, down the corridors, into the lift, and onward to the press conference.
There was an openness in him—time given freely, honesty shared without filter.
Backstage, he laughed and joked with his team, posed for photos, and even had a playful reunion with former trainer Derrick James, crediting him with moves that helped end Paul’s night.
There was a lightness in Joshua—a sense of relief—but it was paired with reflection, not complacency.
The Weight of Redemption
After his painful knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September, this win carried more than just points on a record.
You could feel the release, the return to winning ways, and the lifting of a heavy burden.
And yet, even in those moments of laughter and relief, it was clear: Anthony Joshua was not fully satisfied.
Setting the Bar High
“He weren’t knocked out cold. I’m going to give him his credit,” Joshua said casually as we walked.
“It’s a good thing to give our opponent credit, but no, I wasn’t happy. If I’m honest.”
That single line captured his mindset.
He had stopped Paul in the sixth round, having repeatedly dropped him in the fifth and sixth.
The victory was emphatic, the result never really in doubt once Joshua found his rhythm.
But Joshua isn’t measured by the final bell.
He judges himself against far higher standards—especially given a start slower than many expected.
“There’s definitely things I could have done better,” he admitted.
“I’m going to be 100 per cent honest. There’s a lot I could improve before my next fight.
But ultimately, I got my hand raised at the end, and that’s what really matters.”
The Internal Critic
Joshua is already anticipating critics.
He knows people will question why it took six rounds or why Paul landed at all.
And he’s having those tough conversations with himself.
“I didn’t feel the rust despite being out of the ring for 15 months. I thought I would, but no, I didn’t feel the rust,” he said.
“But look, if you’re a good fighter, you should knock him out within two rounds. If I was a coach, yeah, I’d be going mad at my student.”
Even before speaking to his coach, Joshua knows how that post-fight breakdown would go:
“If I was a coach, I’d be going mad at my student because I’d be like, it’s not good enough. This guy’s not on your level.
He managed to land one or two punches, and that’s not good enough, if I’m honest.”
Backstage Calm, Mental Focus
The contrast was striking. Backstage, Joshua was warm, relaxed, and engaging.
But in his mind, he was already at work—analyzing, dissecting, and demanding more from himself.
That mindset comes, in part, from training with Oleksandr Usyk’s team—a group obsessed with detail, perfection, and marginal gains.
Sergey Lapin, head of Usyk’s team and now part of Joshua’s camp, reinforced the same message: satisfied with the win, yes—but aware there is much to refine.
Chasing Focus
Joshua traced part of his mindset to a lesson from legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, who coached the likes of Mike Tyson.
“I was listening to a Cus D’Amato interview and he said to Mike, ‘your mind’s not on your work. Something’s distracting you,’” Joshua said.
“And it hit me. That’s it. I’m too distracted.”
No distractions, no side shows, no business ventures. Just boxing.
The message was clear: focus is everything.
“The coaches don’t give us much room for error because they know what’s on the line,” he added with a grin before heading to the press.
Back in Winning Mode, but Hungry
The takeaway? Joshua is happy to be back winning. Relieved, even.
But content? Not even close. The fire to improve, to perfect, and to push himself remains unquenched.
And perhaps that’s what makes him truly dangerous in the heavyweight division.
What’s next for Anthony Joshua?
If his mindset is anything to go by, the next challenge is already on his horizon.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn