UK
Anthony Joshua blames training ‘fatigue’ for speeding
British boxing champion Anthony Joshua said “fatigue” from training may have contributed to him speeding, court documents show.
The 34-year-old, who lost in an upset to Daniel Dubois over the weekend, was caught by a Sussex Police officer driving at 44mph in a 30mph zone on the A26 in Lewes, East Sussex, on 29 May.
Joshua sought to justify his offence by saying a “lapse in concentration” due to a “very intense training camp” may have contributed to him speeding in his Range Rover Vogue.
According to court documents seen by the Press Association, Joshua, who already had three points on his licence at the time of the offence, offered his “sincerest apologies”.
“I am a professional athlete, currently in the middle of a very intense training camp,” he wrote in his defence.
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Joshua: ‘I want to continue fighting’
“My schedule has been extremely demanding, and I was travelling to or from a training session at the time and date of the offence.
“The physical and mental fatigue from my training may have clouded my judgement, leading to this lapse in concentration.
“I recognise that such circumstances do not justify speeding, and I deeply regret allowing myself to make this error.”
Anthony Joshua after being knocked down by Daniel Dubois. Pic: Reuters
He asked the court to consider the impact any driving ban could have on his career, due to his need to travel to and from training sessions.
“As an athlete, I rely heavily on my ability to drive to and from training sessions, which are often at locations that are difficult to reach.”
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He was ordered to pay £1,167 in the case dealt with by Hastings Magistrates’ Court.
The Evening Standard reported this consisted of a £769 fine, with £90 costs and a £308 victim surcharge, and that he was also given four penalty points on his licence but was not banned from driving.
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Joshua suffered a fifth-round knockout defeat to Dubois at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday, but on Monday insisted that his boxing career is “far from over”.