Joshua vs Takam: Anthony Joshua could be a stone lighter for world title defence, says Eddie Hearn
Monday 23 October 2017 10:39, UK
Anthony Joshua could be a stone lighter for his world title fight against Carlos Takam and will have extra speed and spite, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
The WBA 'super' and IBF champion has undergone a lengthy training camp ahead of his next title defence, with Takam replacing the injured Kubrat Pulev as his opponent in Cardiff on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua tipped the scales at 17st 12lbs 2oz, his career heaviest weight, for the back from the brink victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April, and Hearn believes the champion's new-look leaner frame will produce an explosive performance.
"Josh is hitting very hard," Hearn told Sky Sports. "You're going to see him come in lighter in this fight.
You're going to see him extra fast, with extra spite. As far as I'm concerned the most exciting fighter in world boxing, ready to do the business next Saturday.
"I think he could be 10 pounds, even a stone lighter than he was in the Klitschko fight.
"You're going to see him extra fast, with extra spite. As far as I'm concerned the most exciting fighter in world boxing, ready to do the business next Saturday."
Joshua had been preparing to face Pulev, a taller fighter with a more orthodox fighting style, and Hearn revealed how the unbeaten 28-year-old vented his frustration after the Bulgarian pulled out this week.
But Takam is a familiar foe, even issuing a challenge after 'AJ' had defeated Dominic Breazeale last summer, and the champion is readying himself for a more brutal battle.
"I actually told him about Pulev's injury after some tough session that he just had in the gym," said Hearn. "It was probably the worst time to call him, and I phoned him up and he had the right hump.
"He knows Takam. Takam has called him out before. He followed him to his hotel room once in London after his fight with Breazeale.
"He knows about Takam and I think when he's started to analyse it, he was quite excited, because I think he felt the Pulev fight would be quite fiddly, whereas Josh likes to have a tear-up.
"I think you are going to get that against Takam because he's going to come out and he's going to let his hands go."
