Joshua: Anthony Joshua must start quickly against Charles Martin, says Spencer Oliver
Thursday 7 April 2016 13:55, UK
Spencer Oliver believes Anthony Joshua needs to stamp his authority early on in Saturday's IBF world heavyweight title showdown with Charles Martin.
Joshua will clash with the American on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in what is his first world title match.
Former European super-bantamweight champion Oliver told Sky Sports News HQ that Joshua will need to be quick out of the traps, and believes the Olympic gold medallist already knows what his gameplan is.
"My instructions would be to go and stamp your authority - go out there and hit him, and hit him hard," said Oliver.
"I think Joshua knows that anyway, I think that is going to be the gameplan. He's going to take the fight straight to Martin - don't give him any respect, go out there and take the fight to him early.
"Joshua has to be careful of Martin's left cross, and if he wants to win he has to stamp his authority early on, drive in those big right hands. If he catches Martin, trust me - Martin will go. Joshua has phenomenal power - 15 fights and 15 knockouts.
"If Martin carries his hands low, the fight could be over early."
One challenge that Martin will certainly bring for Joshua is his southpaw stance - it will be the first time the British challenger has ever fought a southpaw as a professional.
If Martin carries his hands low, the fight could be over early.
Joshua has already dismissed that as an additional difficulty for him, insisting that it will be no different to any other fight he has had. Oliver believes, however, it is one thing Joshua will need to be wary of.
"Martin is a very tall southpaw, and he's equally as tall as Joshua. He carries his hands quite low, and likes to fire in those big left hands. That's the one he's got to be careful of.
"It's a big challenge, but he boxed a few [southpaws] as an amateur. It's very different, though. Where Joshua would normally be leading off with a straight jab, he'll look to lead more with big right hands," added Oliver.
"It may take him a couple of rounds to work the style out, but ultimately I think he wins the fight inside the distance and in six rounds."
Both fighters have formidable records - Joshua has knocked out all 15 of his professional opponents, while Martin has stopped 21 of his 24.
Oliver believes that Joshua could have too much for the defending champion at the O2 Arena, and disagrees with Martin's coach Henry Tillman, who suggested that the bout has come too early for the Englishman.
Oliver said: "It's very difficult to hold someone back when they're as good as [he is]. Who would have thought that he would've won Olympic gold as soon as he did?
"I don't think it's too soon, it's all about timing and it's all about the right fights.
"Would I put Joshua in the ring with Tyson Fury now? No, I think he needs another year of development. I think that Martin is probably the weakest of the champions, the opportunity has arisen and Eddie Hearn and the team have taken it.
"It's a winnable fight for Anthony Joshua, and I think he'll have a couple of defences and then we've got the big showdown with Tyson Fury or David Haye."
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online.
