Boxing

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.” More

ONE of Anthony Joshua’s sparring partners has lifted the lid on just how tough the champion is – and warned about his ‘explosive’ right hand.
AJ perfectly picked out a set of sparring partners all primed to help him prepare for his mandatory title defence against Kubrat Pulev this Saturday.

Anthony Joshua pictured sparring ahead of his return Credit: Instagram

German Peter Kadiru pictured with Joshua Credit: Instagram

German Peter Kadiru, 10-0, was one of those selected to travel to the Brit star’s Team GB training camp in Sheffield.
Joshua – who returns to the ring after a career longest 12 month lay off – revealed he allowed sparring partners to punch him up – so he could regain his toughness.
But according to Kadiru, AJ definitely got his own back, using his devastating attributes to full affect.
He told SunSport: “AJ is extremely fit, moves well, has a fast jab, an explosive right hand and his hooks are powerful and hard.

“On top he is always completely focused and works constantly on mistakes.
“This is a wonderful experience to spar with  a great champion like AJ who is such a dominant factor for many years.
“I have learned so much and could see first hand how you have to train to become the No1.”
Kadiru was sent over to AJ’s training HQ thanks to the help of his manager Bernd Bonte, who formerly worked with Wladimir Klitschko.

Bonte welcomed Joshua over to Klitschko’s Austria camp in 2014 for some famous sparring sessions.

The pair became good friends, but it did not stop them from producing an all-time classic in 2017, which AJ won in round 11.
Joshua, 31, still seeks the advice of the legendary Ukrainian, 44, and considers him a mentor, despite sending Klitschko into retirement.
Kadiru is plotting a similar path to success – knowing AJ has three of the four world titles every heavyweight is chasing.
But for now, the unbeaten 23-year-old will sit back and watch as he predicts a demolition job in front of a reduced crowd at Wembley Arena.
Kadiru said: “I hope that one day I can step into the ring with such a great champion.
“That would be a real hinour but first of all I have to learn and improve and my focus now is to support AJ for his fight against Pulev.
“I’m absolutely sure that AJ will knock Pulev out. AJ is in his prime, totally fit and has improved constantly.
“Pulev on the other hand is already 39-years-old. In the heavyweight division anything is possible but AJ is a huge favourite.”

Anthony Joshua seeking advice from trainer Robert McCrackenCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

Joshua defends his unified titles against Pulev Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

Joshua is potentially one win away from finally sealing a deal with Tyson FuryCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
Joshua goes into his comeback fight knowing he is potentially one win away from finally sealing a deal with long-time rival Tyson Fury.
Fury, 31, who won the WBC belt in February after dethroning Deontay Wilder, 35, is awaiting the result of AJ’s next fight before deciding his future.
The pair have already verbally agreed a two-fight deal, sharing the profits equally.
And Kadiru agrees everything about the undisputed title decider is a 50/50 swing, but he will be backing Joshua all the way.
He explained: “That’s really hard to predict.
“Both are without any doubt currently the two best heavyweights. It is a 50/50 fight.
“But if it happens I will definitely root for AJ.”

Anthony Joshua and Kubat Pulev workout for the press ahead of their big fight More

RICKY HATTON’S son Campbell has signed for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable and will make his professional debut in February.
The 19-year-old and promoter Hearn announced the news online, having held talks alongside Ricky beforehand.

Campbell Hatton has signed for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable and will make his professional debutCredit: Instagram @campbellhatton

Hearn said: “I had a meeting with Campbell and Ricky and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“We have a chance to do something very special in Manchester here and we will do everything we can to guide Campbell the right way.
“The pressure is on him but he has a great head in his shoulders and a city behind him that will support him every step of the way.”
Campbell boxed for Northside ABC in Clayton and Roy Richardson’s Boxing Academy, winning National Novice and North West titles.

He was trained along the way by his dad – who won titles in two divisions – as well as his uncle Matthew.
Campbell will be trained by Matthew and managed by Ricky.
He said: “I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in with my dad being a former world champion and my uncle Matthew also being a world title challenger as well because their experience in the game is second to none.
“There aren’t many people who can say they have that sort of advice.

“Me and my dad get on really well. I think it’s because we are so similar, we have the same sense of humour, same interests and the same passion for boxing.
“It’s such a big part of both of our lives which makes us very lucky to be able to share that.”

Campbell will debut at super-featherweight but has aspirations to go up to lightweight.
Ricky reigned at light-welterweight before achieving the same feat at welterweight during his iconic career.
The British boxing legend added: “I’m extremely proud of Campbell turning professional.
“I’ve been proud of him since the day he was born. He’s a fine young man and he’s following in my footsteps.
“My mum and dad brought me up in a certain way and I’d like to think I’m doing the same thing with Campbell.”

Ricky Hatton gives son Campbell a brutal lesson in boxing in huge garden outside legend’s stunning home More

EDDIE HEARN is ‘as close to 100 per cent’ confident that Anthony Joshua WILL fight Tyson Fury next – as long as he beats Kubrat Pulev.
AJ faces Bulgarian Pulev in a mandatory defence this Saturday, potentially his final hurdle before finally sealing a deal with long-time rival Fury.

Eddie Hearn is ‘as close to 100 per cent’ confident that Anthony Joshua WILL fight Tyson Fury nextCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Fury and Joshua verbally agreed a two-fight deal in the summer Credit: Rex Features

But Hearn has warned of the dangers Joshua is in for if he overlooks his upcoming challenge, as was the case when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.
The promoter admitted AJ has an ‘edgy’ feel about him, but hopes it will fuel his focus ahead of what threatens to be another banana skin.
Hearn told BBC Sport: “I am as close to 100 per cent as I can be that the Fury fight will happen if AJ wins on Saturday.
“All we’ve got to do is win and I don’t know if that is why AJ is a bit edgy.

“Is he trying to make himself edgy to make sure he is switched on in the fight?
“Maybe against Ruiz in the first fight he wasn’t edgy but I think he has really invested his time in improving since that Ruiz fight and he really wants to show those improvements.”
Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, both verbally agreed a two-fight deal in the summer.
But since then, the Gypsy King decided to walk away from his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder and saw his proposed UK homecoming axed.

It would mean he enters a potential double header against AJ having not fought since dethroning Wilder, 35, of the WBC belt in February.
As a result, Hearn fears Fury could opt for a warm-up fight, delaying any proposal with Joshua.
But as AJ is already mandated to defend his WBO title against Oleksandr Usyk, 33, it could scupper plans entirely.
If the Gypsy King is to ease his way back into the ring, Joshua would be forced to face Usyk in another major risk to the Fury fight.
Hearn explained: “If Tyson has a warm-up fight, we’ll fight Usyk and then everything gets… there is no reason for a warm-up fight.
“He boxed in February and he does not have the style where he needs a warm-up fight.
“It will be straight in and I think he is happy with that.”

Tyson Fury snubs Eddie Hearn’s invitation to watch Anthony Joshua take on Kubrat Pulev More