Boxing: Anthony Joshua vows to knock out Kevin Johnson
Wednesday 3 December 2014 18:23, UK
British heavyweight hope Anthony Joshua is confident of becoming the first man to stop durable American Kevin Johnson.
The 35-year-old Johnson, who has lost only six times in a 36-fight career via points decisions, travels to London to take on Joshua at the 02 Arena on January 31.
But having dispatched all of his 10 opponents inside three rounds since turning professional, 25-year-old Joshua is adamant he has what it takes to do what Vitali Klitschko failed to do and halt Johnson inside the distance.
The Olympic gold medallist told Sky Sports News HQ: "One step at a time from fight one to fight 10. Most definitely, Kevin Johnson will be my toughest challenge, physically and verbally.
If Kevin does take me to the later rounds, it doesn't mean anything. But I believe, honestly, we won't see the final bell.
Weaknesses
"I haven't gone in with the mindframe of 'I need to knock him out within one, two or three rounds'. Sometimes it's subconscious when they show a chink in their armour you exploit them and I'm sure Kevin Johnson will show weakness.
"With the training I'm doing over Christmas and in January, I'll be able to exploit weaknesses in Kevin Johnson.
"I wanted to ask Kevin what round he wanted to be knocked out in. It's not important to go the rounds - I'm making it up after the fight and in sparring before the fight. It's just compliments to my trainer and everything I'm doing in the gym when I'm stopping guys so early on.
"From Johnson, I expect a good sparring partner. Someone who comes to survive and be awkward. I'm going to give tens and hundreds of punches through that round. It's going to be an amazing show.
"I don't want to talk it up too much because I'm more calm and collected, but I'm pumped and looking forward to it. It's 02 and I'm back in London and there are going to be thousands of people there.
"If Kevin does take me to the later rounds, it doesn't mean anything. But I believe, honestly, we won't see the final bell.
Exciting
"The longer someone's in there, the longer I get to show. I know it's exciting at the minute but there's not much I can display - you haven't seen much countering or me playing with someone behind the jab. Kevin will compliment my style and I'll be able to show everything I've been working on for seven years.
"Kevin takes care of the verbal side but on January 31, I'll be taking care of the physical side."
When asked about a possible clash with British and European champion Tyson Fury, who won a unanimous decision over Johnson in Belfast two years ago, Joshua added: "Who'd come out on top if Tyson Fury and I were to have a fight? Me, with one foot on him."
