Joshua vs Whyte: Richard Towers reflects on sparring Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte
Wednesday 9 December 2015 14:58, UK
Richard Towers has talked up the punching power of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte having sparred both of the British heavyweight title hopefuls.
Towers (15-1-KO13) has been rebuilding his career after a prison sentence and now, coached by Adam Booth, is hoping to plough his own furrow to the top of the British scene.
The 36-year-old has spent camps with some of the world's boxing giants and with experience of sparring both Joshua (14-0-KO14) and Whyte (16-0-KO13), says fans are in for a real treat in Saturday's Sky Sports Box Office headline bout.
Towers told Sky Sports: "I think it's a case of if a heavyweight lands, it's going to hurt. We are talking about Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte here.
Dillian is a big puncher. I have felt his power and he can really punch. He means every punch he throws. The same goes for Joshua. He punches like a mule's kick.
"Dillian is a big puncher. I have felt his power and he can really punch. He means every punch he throws. The same goes for Joshua - he punches like a mule's kick.
"I think the difference between the two is that Joshua has boxed at a higher level in the amateurs and is boxing at a decent level in the professionals. So is Dillian but I just think the amateur experience could be a determining factor.
"Joshua boxed at Olympic gold level but who knows? Dillian certainly believes he's going to win and is going to tear someone apart. It'll be an entertaining fight.
"Whoever can maintain the discipline in terms of controlling their emotions, I think that's going to be a key factor. If both guys go out there hating each other, trying to kill each other, it then comes down to who makes the first mistake.
"If Joshua goes out there trying to take the guy out because he's insulted him, then I think he'll make the first mistake. If Dillian goes out trying to take him out because he doesn't like how he goes on, I think it'll be him.
"If they both go out and stick to their plan and work with their attributes, then it'll be a hell of a fight. Either way, I can't see it going the distance."
Towers, who was coached by the legendary Brendan Ingle during his early career, is enthusiastic over his own future and grateful for the continuing guidance of Booth.
'The Inferno' added: "I'm knocking sparring partners out now. I've knocked a few out cold. I've never ever done that since I've been involved with boxing so clearly I'm working on things.
"Brendan is my absolute hero. He's like a father figure and I don't want to take away from anything he did for me. He helped me sort my life out. One thing's for sure - I'm grateful for it all.
"I'm not educated, wise or smart enough in a boxing sense to dictate which path I'm going to take. I'm very fortunate to have really good people around me and I've always been fortunate in that sense. Adam knows what he's doing and knows which route I'm going. I put my faith in him and just turn up and train."
Joshua vs Whyte is exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12, and is now available to order via your Sky remote or online.
