The unified WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has always said that he is always looking for ways to improve. The undefeated Briton is now 21-0 and he has garnered the status of a popular figure in his home country.
All but one of his victories have come by way of knockout. There is no doubt the standout performance of AJ’s career brings us back to April 2017.
Who can forget the monumental, changing of the guard battle between Joshua and the former longtime ruler of the heavyweight division in Wladimir ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ Klitschko.
Both men hit the canvas in a memorable unified world heavyweight title showdown in front of 90,000 Wembley, London.
Joshua eventually came out on top after recovering from exhaustion during the middle rounds. Following up on a pivotal uppercut in the eleventh round to secure a stoppage.
But ‘AJ’ now says that he will seek out Klitschko for advice as he seeks to build a similar resume.
“If [Klitschko] can give me a little bit of his knowledge, I think it will spur me on to do better than I project,” Joshua said to Sky Sports.
“I need him on my side, definitely. I have so much respect for him. His brain is like a boxing encyclopedia.”
Joshua claims he will always look up to the former 2-time world heavyweight champion because of what he has achieved in his era.
“I will always look at [Klitschko], even though I beat him, as the better man because he’s done more than me.”
“Even though I beat him that night, in terms of his overall career, he’s done so much. I will always take my hat off to him, and respect him.
[Klitschko] was in the era when mistakes were looked at as a way to improve yourself,” Joshua said.
“He lost [three] times then reigned as heavyweight champion for 10 years.”
Joshua went on to credit Klitschko for rebuilding his career after experiencing failure.
“That’s phenomenal – he must have learned so much.”
“When you fail, then you go again, then you fail, then you go again – he built himself to perfection;” Joshua added.
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