ANTHONY JOSHUA has ‘slimmed down’ to prepare for a ‘long fight’ against Kubrat Pulev, according to Sky Sports pundit Spencer Oliver.
The unified heavyweight champion defends his titles in a mandatory this Saturday, against Bulgarian Pulev.
Anthony Joshua has ‘slimmed down’ to prepare for a ‘long fight’ against Kubrat PulevCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom
It will bring an end to his longest career layoff, having not fought for 12 months, when he avenged defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr.
The night before his last fight, he tipped the scales at 16st 13lb – his lightest in a title fight – to help him outbox Ruiz and reclaim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts on points.
Six months prior, he weighed 17st 7lb, and was dropped four times on the way to losing in round seven.
Following the rematch with Ruiz, AJ appeared to have bulked up considerably, with his chance meeting with Tyson Fury in Marbella showing him looking huge.
However, Sky Sports pundit Spencer Oliver revealed he has inside information from AJ’s manager that the 31-year-old has slimmed down since then to come in around the same weight as his only defeat.
Oliver said: “I thought Anthony Joshua looked brilliant.
“He looked slimmed down, I spoke to Freddie Cunningham, his manager, and he said the plan was for Joshua to come more slim.
“He thinks he’s better at that weight. I think we’ll see Joshua come in around the 17-and-a-half, 17st 10 mark.
AJ defends his titles in a mandatory this Saturday, against Bulgarian PulevCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Joshua pictured topless at the open workouts Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom
“That’s where he’s most affective, when he’s got that athleticism, he moves his feet really well because he’s got good feet, pings his shots in really well.
“He’s going to need that against someone like Kubrat Pulev, who’s very strong, who’s very unorthodox, got a great jab, likes to hold his feet, likes to hold his ground.”
As well as Joshua’s meeting with Fury, 32, appearing to show the 6ft 6in Londoner beefed up, training pictures showed the same.
Pictures of Joshua meeting Tyson Fury in Marbella appeared to show the 6ft 6in Londoner beefed upCredit: Refer to Caption
Joshua looked to be beefing up in training Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
Spencer Olivier predicts Joshua could be preparing to go the distance
Oliver predicts Joshua could be preparing to go the distance instead of putting his efforts into power punching.
He said: “We could see with Joshua’s body frame, we could see maybe Joshua taking his time and just looking to break Pulev down.
“It’s going to be a really interesting fight, but Joshua has come away from the weights, he’s been working on the cardio side of things.
“So, it tells you that he might be preparing for a long fight.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
