Nigerian-born world hvyweight boxing champion, Anhony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua has been praised for his choice of sparing patners to keep him in shape for his latest title defence this Saturday in London, megasportsarena.com reports.
Joshua is preparing for his world heavyweight championship defence against Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria, and ‘AJ’ has won plaudits for perparing in the best way pssobiel by sparring trusted faces, experienced veterans, unbeaten contenders and hungry prospects.
This is he verdict of veteran trainer, Billy Nelson, who pointed out that recruiting sparring partners was also a key area of improvement for Joshua and his team ahead of the rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr and, a year on, this is the pool of heavyweights trading punches with the 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist again in the gym.
Nelson, who trains one of Joshua’s sparign partners, Martin Bakole, believes the champ is getting a tough test from the Congo-born Scotland-based contender, who shares a management team with ‘AJ,’ and they have been regular training partners over the years.
It is surely proving to be a tesy get-together, as Bakole, who fights Sergey Kuzmin on the Joshua vs Pulev undercard, makes no secret of his desire to eventually challenge Joshua, who he calls “a best friend”.
Nelson retorted: “AJ would want to fight the best African heavyweight.The only other half-decent African heavyweight is Efe Ajagba, and Martin would knock him out inside four rounds.”
Bakole added: “It would be a big show, not only for Africa, but for the whole world. Imagine if Joshua fought in Nigeria or my home in Congo.”
Another sparing part of note is Hosea Stewart, an amateur from the Wolverhampton gym where Joby Clayton, who was added to Joshua’s team before the Ruiz Jr rematch, is the trainer, who is making a strong case for his ward, though this is the first time he is involved with the champ.
Clayton told Sky Sports: “It was good for AJ to see somebody that I’ve been teaching for many years. Hosea understands the philosophies, the techniques and the tactics.
“Fair play to AJ who saw and recognised the potential of Hosea. He wanted Hosea to experience what camp life is all about.
“He wanted to give Hosea a taste of what his own life could be about if he is willing to do the work that it takes to be a champion.
“Hosea is working with the other sparring partners to get an incredibly privileged position, to see how a champion is made and forged. To see what it takes.”
They are joined Gerald Washington, Fabio Wardley, Christian Thun and Frazer Clarke as well as the Nigerian-born trio of Peter Kadiru, Delicious Orie and David Adeleye, the last of who is a 24-year-old prospect from London, but has fought just three times, winning via TKO each time.
Kadiru is a former Olympics Youth champion and current German champion, who was sent over to support Joshua’s preparations by his manager, Bernd Boente, who previously represented Wladimir Klitschko.
Boente told Sky Sports: “It is our honour. I always recommended Peter if Anthony was to fight Pulev. They are very happy with Peter and I hope it stays that way. But we are professionals – it is most important that Anthony is prepared.”
