Joshua: Boxing Scholar Jack Bateson on friend and training partner Anthony Joshua
Friday 24 March 2017 12:14, UK
There are probably worse boxers to train with than Anthony Joshua.
Since the London Olympics, Sky Academy Sports Scholar Jack Bateson and Joshua have been regularly training with each other.
They have built up quite a friendship over four years and with Joshua set to face Charles Martin on April 9 for the IBF world heavyweight title at The O2, live on Sky Box Office, Bateson reveals an incredible insight to Britain's rising heavyweight star.
Here are Jack's thoughts on Joshua and why he thinks his boxing buddy will rule the world.......
I first met Anthony Joshua when I was selected to become a GB Development boxer in 2012. At the time, I remember watching him in the ABA Championships and hearing about him representing Britain at various international competitions.
I recall having a conversation with him during training at GB Headquarters in Sheffield where he still comes to train with the team. I found him very easy to talk to, down to earth and humble.
Something that I always find humbling about Josh in comparison to other successful athletes is the interest he takes in your thoughts. He is always keen to pick up pointers from others and he values everyone's opinions.
It isn't often that someone, as successful as Josh, wants your opinion, especially when they are competing at such a high level, but he's switched on and it's working well for him.
He's like a human sponge and absorbs advice so well, which is one of the reasons that I believe he's improved so much in the comparatively short time that he has been boxing.
It's crazy to think that I've been boxing longer than Josh and have had more bouts in total but his progress has been phenomenal and it's exciting to think how far he could possibly go. I believe he will achieve on a huge scale.
I trained with Josh at the London 2012 training camp at the start of the Olympic Games. He appeared extremely calm for a man with so much hope and expectation on his shoulders.
He was very relaxed and seemed to take everything in his stride. A great example to an athlete like me, who hopes to one day emulate his success at an Olympic Games.
As a fighter he has all of the attributes a heavyweight boxer could dream of having. He's big, fast, strong and explosive and has yet to show any weaknesses in the pro game.
Although he's a heavyweight, when on the GB squad he achieved one of the lowest body fat scores out of the whole team. Most heavyweights are a bit flabby as they don't have to achieve a certain weight like other weight categories.
They just need to weigh in over the 91kg limit. This means they are able to have fatty foods now and then and allows them to get away with being less strict with their diets. Josh follows a strict diet and I believe this is one of the things that separates him from the average heavyweight boxer.
I still train with the big man most weeks and he's inspirational to be around. He's extremely easy to talk to and always takes time out for others. He's a a team player.
Filming with him a few months ago was great. He's always a good laugh and is as down to earth as they come, although I was pleased I already knew him otherwise it could have been a little intimidating!
As well as being easy to talk to, he's a great listener and has all the right attributes for young boxers and athletes to look up to and aspire to be like. He's a great inspiration and a good friend.
I'm confident of him going all the way to the top and I am so excited to follow his journey.
He'll be fighting Charles Martin in April after four years of competing in the amateur game and winning the Olympic Games - the pinnacle of any amateur boxing career.
And now with just under four years of competing as a professional, Josh could achieve the greatest achievement as a pro boxer. I'm sure Great Britain will get behind him, the way we always do as a nation and he'll make history.
Come on big man!
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
MARCH 28-APRIL 3: Jessica Judd, pre-season training in USA
APRIL 4-10: Quillan Isidore, SX World Cup, Manchester
APRIL 9/10: Sam Oldham, British Championships, Liverpool
APRIL 11-16: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Olympic Trials, Glasgow
