Joshua: Anthony Joshua reveals how he has prepared for Charles Martin
Tuesday 5 April 2016 13:36, UK
Anthony Joshua insists he has learned his lessons from his last bout against Dillian Whyte as he prepares to take on IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin on Saturday.
Joshua (15-0-KO15) settled his bitter rivalry with Whyte after an explosive seventh round knockout win in January and is now ready to challenge IBF heavyweight champion Martin on April 9, live on Sky Sports Box Office, at London's O2 Arena.
Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ that he will be "more clinical than emotional" as he revealed some of what he has planned for Martin ahead of his clash with the IBF champion (23-0-1-KO21).
Speaking about what he learned from the Whyte fight three months ago, Joshua said: "There's some good and a lot of bad. I need to keep my shape. When I'm rolling shots, don't look at the ground. Roll like a boxer, don't roll like a novice - that's from the street.
"I need to establish my authority behind the jab, don't be countering him from two foot out, get in close, but when I counter, move my feet, counter, and then get out - little things like that.
"When I was fighting Dillian I was eager to just hurt him with one punch, but it's the flurry of punches that put you down at heavyweight.
"I've watched a lot of the Cuban guys because they're unbelievable with their balance and footwork, very relaxed on top, but very sharp with their feet.
"In my last fight I was very sharp with my upper body but too lazy with my feet, so I'm just switching that around and it's been working really well. Moving in, moving out, moving across and you always put someone in the position where your hands go and that's what I've been working on."
Even if I get that belt, I've got to separate my lifestyle of a champion to boxing because they don't really mix. Boxing is a gritty sport and you have got to be hungry.
The 26-year-old from Watford has promised his fans a knockout on Saturday night, insisting it's inevitable in the heavyweight division.
"Everyone is getting knocked out these days. You can't avoid it in our division. Someone is getting banged out. This is what it's all about though - big time boxing, heavyweight fighters, hungry fighters, not scared to fight and not scared to go to war."
Joshua also says he will have to separate the belt from the main event even if he gets his hands on the world title in order to keep himself hungry for future success.
"I've said no hype, no hype," said Joshua. "Even if I get that belt, I've got to separate my lifestyle of a champion to boxing because they don't really mix. Boxing is a gritty sport and you have got to be hungry.
"You've always got to separate the two. All the glitz and glamour and stuff - that's how I look at Charles Martin and I've got to separate him from the gold because I've got to fight Charles Martin.
"I'm not fighting the belt - that's just a reward and that's how I have to look at Charles Martin. He's just another opponent - like the last 15."
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9, is available to order via online.
