Joshua: No Fear of Klitschko; ‘Steppingstone Towards Greatness’

By Keith Idec

If Anthony Joshua is the least bit nervous about by far the biggest fight of his career, he didn’t display it Thursday.

The unbeaten British knockout artist spoke matter-of-factly of defeating Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday during a press conference at Sky Sports Studios in London. The 27-year-old Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) is more than a 2-1 favorite over Klitschko in their 12-round fight at Wembley Stadium for the IBF, IBO and WBA heavyweight titles.

Doubters have questioned whether a fight against Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) is too much, too soon for someone who began boxing only in 2008, when Klitschko already was immersed in his nine-year championship reign. Joshua dismissed those concerns when he was asked Thursday about what will happen Saturday before a record crowd of 90,000.

“I win,” Joshua said. “It’s not complicated. Let’s not overthink it. This isn’t science. It’s not rocket science. Like I said, let’s strip it right back to what it is. I’m a young lion. I’m ferocious. I’m very determined, left no stone unturned in training camp, in many of the training camps that’s led to this position. We do talk about experience. But even when I was fighting guys with less experience, I took them as if I was fighting in world championship fights.

“That’s the only way I’ve managed to get into this position. So I haven’t prepared for this. I’ve prepared since Day One for this. You understand what I’m saying. So yeah, I think when I wrap it up, it’s just a win on the record and we move forward. Because the world is filled with so much information, we have a short time span when it comes to thinking. So let me get this out the way, and then we just focus on what’s next and just keep the ball rolling. And thank you for your support, people. We will continue to reign, for sure.”

Earlier in the press conference, Joshua referred to this daunting assignment as a “just another steppingstone towards greatness.” He sounded surprised about people’s skepticism regarding his choice to face the accomplished, experienced Klitschko in just his 19th professional fight.

Joshua’s confidence is understandable when you consider that all he knows is knocking out opponents. When you add that Klitschko is 41 and 17 months removed from his last fight – a surprising loss to England’s Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) in November 2015 – Joshua considers this perfect timing.

“Any fight’s the right fight,” Joshua said. “Any fight is the right fight. For you guys, to broadcast, to entertain, I think you want settle fights, because it creates such an interest. But for me, I’ve never shied away from any fight, any opponent. As my trainer, Robert McCracken said, I started training in 2008. In 2009, ’10, ’11, I was at the World Championships, representing Great Britain, to be the best in the world in the Olympics. And I could’ve said, ‘You know what, Robert? I don’t think I’m ready for these type of competitions.’ No problem. Let’s rock and roll. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting.

“I just enjoy what I do. I embrace every opportunity. And I think failure is without trying. That’s why I always step up to any occasion, without a shadow of a doubt. And there’s no fear whatsoever that trembles through my body. I just don’t underestimate any man, and that kind of puts me on a pedestal when I focus on my training and how I conduct myself inside and outside the ring.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.