Anthony Joshua took part in the Black Lives Matter protest that held today in Watford, north London, as he joined the call for an end to racial injustice.
The World Heavyweight Champion was seen attending the protest while hobbling on crutches. He wore a black jumper emblazoned with the words “Black Lives Matter”. He also had on a leg brace.
In his speech Joshua said “From today onward, We can longer sit back and remain silent on the senseless, unlawful killing, sly racism on another human being, based only on their skin colour.
“We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations just like today. So well done Watford, inject the vaccine.
“We must not use the demonstration for selfish motives and turn it into rioting and looting. We need to be united in non-violent demonstrations. Show them where it hurts, abstain from spending your money in their shops and economies, and invest in black-owned businesses.
“And that’s for all communities if you want to uplift yourselves, invest in your own businesses. We have to engage with the youth – I completely agree with that – and put an end to black youth gang culture.
“I’m gunna be real with you about gang culture. I’m down to riot 100 per cent but what you have to realise – it’s done. It is done, trust me.
“Unless you wanna be sitting in jail, spending years upon years of your only life that you have thinking about ‘yeah, they can lock the locks but they can’t stop the clocks’. That’s all done because there’s too much cameras, too much intelligence.
“All the OGs that I know are telling me ‘bro it’s finished, it’s finished’. Gang life is finished and that’s what we’re saying.
“I know that I’m not promoting no gangster business. I’m a legit, straight forward hustler – that’s just in my DNA and in my blood.
“But I know I’ve taken my street knowledge and put it into the corporate world and I’ve gained a lot of respect in that sense. So anyway, gang culture is done.
“We have to engage with the youth and put an end to black youth gang culture. This postcode war – how many houses do we own on that postcode that we’re fighting for?
“Let’s inject the vaccine. Every life matters – 100 per cent I agree with that. But that does include black lives and that’s why we’re here today.
“George Floyd – we’re all aware of his name – was the catalyst in a list that is already way, way, way too long.’
Meanwhile, Joshua’s spokesperson revealed that to Sportsmail that his injury is not serious, saying: ‘Anthony felt a slight twinge in his knee whilst training. The brace Is a precautionary measure on the advise of physios. It will be further checked by his doctors but there is no immediate concern.’
Watch video below.
