High praise indeed from the legendary former heavyweight champion of the world ‘The Easton Assassin’ Larry Holmes. Speaking with Sky Sports, the heavyweight legend shared his view that he feels Anthony Joshua has all the tools to go right to the top and even went as far as to back him to earn a spot alongside the likes of himself, Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis in the pantheon of heavyweight greatness.
Holmes stated he feels Joshua has the opportunity to cement an enduring legacy inside the squared circle, “I think he has a great opportunity to make himself known as one of the greatest fighters of all time”. But while Holmes let his admiration of the young champion become readily apparent, he still wisely acknowledged that any success that could follow is largely dependent on how Joshua faces the upcoming challenges lurking on the horizon.
Holmes outlined that he feels as champion it is important to “think your better than the next guy” and it is imperative that Joshua maintains his hunger and desire to achieve in order to build his legacy, going on to state “If he can stay hungry he will be okay”. But the former champion did credit Joshua for his approach to his career and the fact he seems willing to fight all comers. “He is fighting whatever is out there and he’s going to be able to climb that ladder because he knows how to fight.”
Furthermore, Holmes also shared some sound advice to ‘AJ’ stating that he should continue to do what he has been doing as it is what he would do and that is focusing on his craft. “I would continue to practice my boxing, make my life better and continue to fight whoever they put in front of me and knock the heck out of them.”
On a final note, Holmes was also asked his opinion on the potential mouth-watering world heavyweight championship unification between Joshua and his fellow countryman Deontay Wilder. On that subject, Holmes appeared to be sitting on the fence as he comically stated ‘I’d flip a coin’ before stating the fact both fighters are so big and powerful in the punching department coupled with the fact that he feels both guys can take a punch makes it a very intriguing matchup to call.