Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has defended his tactics in his victory over Joseph Parker earlier this year – and promised a change of style ahead of this Saturday’s clash with Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium.
The unbeaten star squared off against New Zealand’s Parker in March, and saw himself extended the full twelve round distance the first time in his professional career – keeping the fight at distance and breaking his twenty-fight KO streak.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Joshua opened up on his tactical decision when facing the then-unbeaten Kiwi.
Joshua said: “If I didn’t win that Parker fight, I wouldn’t be here now.
“If I went to try and knock him out, anything could have happened.
“Look at the fight with Dillian [Whyte] and Parker! By an inch he got that decision and I don’t want fights like that. I want to win clear and make sure that it sets up bigger and better things.”
It was his safety-first approach that ‘AJ’ believes has paid dividends, as he collected his third World title ahead of a potential undisputed title clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
However, after being unable to agree terms to face the unbeaten American, Joshua faces WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in his seventh World title bout in just his 22nd professional outing.
“How I approach this fight [Povetkin] is going to be completely different to how I approach the Parker fight because he’s a completely different style of fighter. But I’m confident,’ Joshua continued.
These calls were echoed by his trainer Rob McCracken, who has been with the Watford man’s side since his amateur career.
“The task at hand is really important.
Anthony’s got to be on point, he’s got to be concentrating and he’s got to be busy against Povetkin,” McCracken said.
“Anthony’s job is to control the pace and break him down and not be there for the hooks, the feints to the body and the right hook, and feints to the body and left hook.
“Anthony’s got to be aware of that and alert to it every round for three minutes.
“He’s got upper body movement, Povetkin, so you’ve got to time him. He’s not always there for the jab and the right hand and he’s always dangerous with his counters, you can’t just let him walk in, dictate and throw, you’ve got to move and keep him off balance, as Klitschko did really well. He’s a top fighter and a dangerous opponent.
“It will be a tough challenge but one that I’m sure Anthony will come through and I’m sure he’ll learn a bit more on the night.”
Article by: Andi Purewal
Follow Andi on Twitter at: @AndiPurewal