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Anthony Joshua Ranks His Three Upcoming opponents – “Everything About Him Is Unpredictable”

Written by Patrik Kuitunen on 27th December 2017.

Anthony Joshua is getting ready for an explosive 2018.

The WBA Super, IBF & IBO World heavyweight champion is set to face at least two to even three possible opponents in the new year. Good thing is, we already know their names. The trio of Joseph Parker, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will be waiting for Joshua.

In a recent interview with Thierry Henry of Sky Sports, Joshua admitted that the toughest fight of the three names listed is Fury.

“If he comes back in shape. The reason is, I think he’s awkward in the mind and he’s awkward in his style. Everything about him is unpredictable. This is the situation. You just don’t know. He doesn’t have one significant style. He might move around the ring and to try to steal the win. He might just jab the whole fight,” explained Joshua.

“I’ve seen him fight guys like John McDermott years ago when he would just try and fight with you. Steven Cunningham when he tries to fight with him and he’s more vulnerable. So I don’t know what style Fury will possess but he’s good because he can mix it up. He’s a man of many trades.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that the biggest fight in world boxing is against the WBC champion Wilder. ‘AJ’ respects the American’s power due to 38 knockout victories but doesn’t seem to be concerned with Wilder’s technical abilities.

“Wilder I think will be next and just for the sheer fact that his record proves he has a powerful punch. But his powerful punch doesn’t come with an uppercut, it doesn’t come with a peach left hook, it just comes with a straight right hand. So you eliminate one or two of his main weapons and I think you kind of chip the tree down with Wilder. I think he starts losing his confidence,” told Joshua.

He then dissected his future opponent, WBO World heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who is trying his hardest to get under Joshua’s skin through mental games.

The Kiwi has taken a different approach in trying to rattle Joshua mentally. Parker and his team recently held a press conference where they showed footage of Joshua getting hurt during his previous fights. The New Zealander has also provoked Joshua on social media for allegedly having a weaker chin.

“Parker… it’s unpredictable. From a fighting perspective I know I can beat him. But he’s now trying to challenge me mentally. The things he’s saying, the way he’s acting, I’m saying ‘this is out of character’, I have to kind of reassess Parker I think. He’s trying to get at me mentally and I have to keep my cool and not get involved in that.

Joshua then continued:

“If you get into a game emotionally, I think that’s already a one up to your opponent. I’ve done against my old competitors. I went into the fight emotionally and it was a mistake.”

The fight between Joshua and Parker is close to being done according to Hearn.

“I hope that in early 2018 we could be in a position to announce the fight. March 24th, March 31st, April 7th as well are the three potential dates. Wales, London, other cities as well looking to host this fight. It’s the fight we want. It’s the only champion or big name that’s being realistic in the negotiations.

“We still feel like we haven’t got a great end our end but we want to make the fight happen,” commented Hearn to Boxing Social.

READ MORE:

George Foreman Says Anthony Joshua Is Number One – “Something Special”

Eddie Hearn Takes Aim At Tyson Fury

Bernard Hopkins: Joshua Bigger Threat Than Wilder

Hearn Ridicules Tyson Fury’s Demands For An Anthony Joshua Fight