Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua says he has stepped up his preparations, ahead of his next tile fight in the coming month, megasportsarena.com reports.
While expressing delight that the fight will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist disclosed that he is eager to get it on and he is sharpening his mind to avoid mental fatigue against his mandatory challenger, Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight championships are on the line against Ukraine’s Usyk on September 25 and the two-time champ is already exuding confidence that he will have the last laugh on the night in London.
Although he admitted that Usyk’s footwork makes him his trickiest ever opponent, ‘AJ’ enthused that he will be able to concentrate fully to contain and curtail his opponent, who stepped up from his cruiserweight category some years back.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “100 per cent, he will be. Movement means you are never stationery to get hit. Movement is important.
“Concentration – when you want to [punch], you lock in, then make a move. You have to make sure your brain works.
“That can be mentally fatiguing so I am sharpening the mind so that I can concentrate for the 12 rounds. Also I practice having the ability to [punch] four times, not just once.
“Concentrate, take your time, pin him down. It’s a fight for the brain. Knowing what you’ve got in front of you and knowing how to deal with it.
“You can either be aggressive, corner [him], throw everything at it. Or take your time, be clever, then knock [him] out.”
