Anthony Joshua has been told he punches like movie hero Rocky Balboa

Joshua defends his IBF and WBA Super heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, October 28 – and according to Paul Butlin, it’s likely to be another early night for the champion.

The Midlander felt Joshua’s power at the start of his pro career. Joshua turned pro after winning Olympic gold in London in 2012. He had his second pro fight against Butlin in Sheffield – and knocked him out inside two rounds.

Joshua has kept knocking out whoever’s been put in front of him and Butlin said: “You don’t realise how hard he hits until he hits you.

“His power is disgusting, like something out of a ‘Rocky’ film.

“When punches land in the ‘Rocky’ films, they make that huge thudding sound – and that’s the sound you hear when Joshua lands.

“Nobody else’s punches sound like Joshua’s – apart from Rocky.

“He really hits hard and he’s been annihilating hard men like Kevin Johnson – and me!”

Butlin proved his durability in his 41-fight career by taking the likes of Dereck Chisora, Andrzej Wawrzyk and Johnathon Banks rounds on short notice.

But against Joshua, he was knocked clean off his feet by a right-hand thunderbolt that also sliced open a cut on his left eyebrow.

Butlin got up and carried on fighting, but the referee soon jumped in as Joshua unloaded.

“I had 10 weeks’ notice for that, had good sparring and was fit,” said Butlin, who won Midlands honours and reached a ‘Prizefighter’ final before retiring last year.

“But as soon as I felt his jab I knew I was in trouble.

“He pushed my jab out of the way in the second round and bang!

“It was such a fast shot.

“Nobody else wiped me out like that.”

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