ANTHONY JOSHUA has hinted at a shock new date for his next fight.
But the British bruiser is adamant he “won’t lie to fans” after revealing he wants to evolve his style into that of a “box fighter.”
Joshua, 33, is on the up again after bouncing back from two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk with victory over Jermaine Franklin.
AJ is now in line for a Saudi Arabia super-fight, with December touted as a potential date by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua is expected to finally face off against ex-WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.
And there could even be a SECOND all-star fight on the same night between division champions Usyk and Tyson Fury.
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However, Joshua now admits he could potentially fight as soon as July or August.
New coach Derrick James is putting the Watford lad through his paces in training.
And should he be pleased with AJ’s progress over the coming weeks, a possible winter fight against Wilder could indeed be brought forward.
But Joshua refuses to “lie” to fans by noting a summer bout is currently “off the cards”.
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He told Sky: “I thought as I’ve changed maybe three coaches in three years, it would be good to develop and work under the guidance of my new coach and by the time I’m back in the ring, I’ve cemented and implemented everything he wants.
“But the only way we’re going to put everything he’s teaching me to the test is through fighting.
“So rather than putting pressure on myself, and I don’t want to lie to the fans at the time, I’m fighting this date when there’s still conversations, I just wanted to draw a line in the sand and say I’m not fighting until this date.
“If I, my coach, decides to change my mind… I feel I’m able to change my mind right? So I’m able to fight in July or August if I want, but right now it’s off the table, but we are subject to chance providing my coach is happy with what he sees.”
Joshua also admits he is working on becoming more aggressive as he transitions into a “box fighter”, adding: “I’m quite tall, I’ve got a long range but I’m not going to be a bruiser.
“I’ve always tried to develop my boxing IQ but over 12 rounds there are times where you have to fight and I want to become a box fighter.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
