ANTHONY JOSHUA went whack to the future – with the Rocky theme blaring out in a clip of his hypnotic hand-speed as a youth and now.
The Brit took inspiration from his childhood to rev up for a triple world heavyweight title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in December.
Then and pow! Anthony Joshua goes through his age-old routine to parade his timing and handspeedCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/
The young AJ shows the style that took him all the way to Olmpic gold as an amateurCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/
World champ Anthony Joshua seems to be adding on the muscle as he meets fellow Brit Tyson Fury in Marbella
The 30-year-old’s rat-a-tat rhythm contrasted with the slower pounding of the iconic boxing movie tune.
But then and now he showed the same gym routine that helped take the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight king to the top as both an amateur and pro.
AJ has of course piled on the muscle since then, particularly in recent weeks, with ripped shots of him almost bursting out of tops.
And he was snapped “accidentally” bumping into Tyson Fury in Marbella in a bulging white T-shirt, suggesting he will be much bulkier against Pulev than he was in dethroning his only ever conqueror Andy Ruiz last December.
By coincidence, Muhammad Ali was also in his second reign as world heavyweight champ when the first Rocky film came out in 1976.
But it was AJ’s maturity rather than movie-style heroics that impressed most when he dismantled Ruiz for revenge.
And promoter Eddie Hearn insists Joshua must prepare just as shrewdly against Pulev.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “Sparring wise? You need a tall, stand-up fighter who is technically sound.
“Pulev is very experienced, very good technically, punches a bit. You need to find a tall heavyweight that replicates that style.
“Against Ruiz Jr the second time, they got their sparring spot on. That is so important moving forwards.”
Proving AJ overcomes Pulev as so expected, he could then be eyeing two title unifiers with fellow Brit and WBC champ Tyson Fury.
Doubling up might sound dramatic. But they do say Creed is good.
Eddie Hearn confirms that he has spoken to Frank Warren on the phone about Fury v Joshua fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
