Anthony Joshua
The Olympic gold medalist continues to make great strides through the heavyweight division
Monday 17 November 2014 17:26, UK
Don't let the big, broad smile and good manners fool you; Anthony Joshua has a fire burning within him to become a world champion.
The heavyweight was one of the faces of London 2012, displaying a beaming smile on the podium after victory in the Olympic final.
A tense win over Italian Roberto Cammarelle earned Joshua the gold medal and Britain's heavyweight hope soon faced speculation about his future.
Comparisons were quickly drawn with Lennox Lewis, another former Olympic gold medalist, and Joshua sought the advice of the former world champion before deciding to turn professional in July last year.
His first fight came against Emanuele Leo in October and he delivered an explosive debut to an expectant crowd at London's O2 Arena.
Leo, unbeaten before that night, was pounded to a halt inside the first round.
Eager for more experience, Joshua swiftly returned to action against the seasoned Paul Butlin later that month.
Butlin had taken Dereck Chisora the distance, but was ruthlessly halted by Joshua in the second round.
Busy
His busy schedule continued with another second-round stoppage of Hrvoje Kisicek in November, though this win would come at a cost.
A minor injury suffered in the fight would sideline Joshua until the New Year, but he returned against Dorian Darch in February and gave another chilling exhibition of his punch power. The fight was waved off in the second as the Welshman wilted under a barrage of punches.
Hector Alfredo Avila and Matt Legg both failed to make it out of the first round, and although promoter Eddie Hearn has raised the standard of opponent, Joshua has systematically taken apart whoever has been put in front of him.
The experienced Matt Skelton at least made it into the second round before feeling the full power of his fellow Brit, while Konstantin Airich even managed to hear the bell for the start of the third.
Denis Bakhtov was drafted in for Joshua's last fight, but the Russian was dismantled in a hurry. Now Michael Sprott faces the challenge of trying to halt the considerable momentum that is building behind a 25-year-old who seemingly has the world at his feet.
Watch Joshua v Sprott live and exclusive as part of Cleverly v Bellew II, on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, with Groves, DeGale, Quigg and more, also on. Go to skysports.com/cleverlybellew to book.
