Wednesday 18 October 2017 10:34, UK
Johnny Nelson knows more than most the fortunate position that Carlos Takam has found himself in and he admits that it makes for a testing time for Anthony Joshua.
Takam was handed a late opportunity to challenge the IBF and WBA 'Super' heavyweight world champion Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office, after original opponent Kubrat Pulev pulled out through injury.
Nelson believes that it is a challenge that will certainly test the mental resolve of 'AJ' as he goes up against the next best ranked challenger in Takam, who has been patiently waiting in the wings for this opportunity to arise.
It is being in Takam's position that Nelson knows all too well about, twice the former Sheffield cruiserweight stepped into a contest as a late replacement and twice he came out as European champion. Now he admits that it is up to 'AJ' to make sure Takam does not take his golden chance.
I was watching 'AJ' train a few weeks ago and it was all specifically in preparation for Pulev, the height, the movement, the shot and his onslaught - now he has to change all that
Speaking to Sky Sports, Nelson said: "From a fighter's point of view, when there is a big fight around your weight or level, you kind of prepare for it. If you're a real fighter, you always train just in case.
"I won the European title twice, both times I was brought in as a substitute and then won.
"The worst thing that the champion can do is underestimate you and assume you're not ready.
"Believe me, Takam has been watching 'AJ' since he became champion and even before that. The different responsibility of being a champion is that you've got to prep yourself for any fighter put in front of you, whether it is 12 weeks, 6 weeks or in this case 12 days."
On what has to change for the champion, Nelson concedes that with such little time before fight night, for Joshua it is all about mental adjustments.
"Takam is strong and tough and it's up to Joshua to figure his way around the challenger and then beat him.
"I was watching 'AJ' train a few weeks ago and it was all specifically in preparation for Pulev, the height, the movement, the shot and his onslaught - now he has to change all that.
"He can't physically change anything, it's about the mental adjustment to the gameplan.
"Takam didn't have to make this fight, he could have waited six months and said I'm mandatory anyway. He thought I fancy it and I can take this, I'm going to be exactly the same fighter if I take this in six months' time."
