Anthony Joshua says that he will go to “war” on Charles Martin in this Saturday’s IBF heavyweight title fight.
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Since turning professional in 2013, Joshua has won all 15 bouts of his career by knockout. “That isn’t anything new”, said Martin, who wore a smart gray overcoat and scarf.
“I’ve watched him and he’s very laid back, very calculated, so I’ve got to get him out of his comfort zone one way or another”.
“He defeated Vyacheslav Glazkov in January to claim the belt, but the Watford-born boxer is ready to face off against the 6′ 5” Missouri-born boxer in what will be the Englishman’s 16th fight.
The mutual respect that has existed between the fighters continued Thursday.
Fury last week branded Joshua “useless” and predicted that he will lose to Martin because “this game is not all about body-building”. Not that it concerns the champion.
“Being physically strong and powerful isn’t the issue”, Martin added. Maybe we will get this type of fight. That’s never left me. “They better respect my power”. I was 208 and I knew how to be evasive. “I’m technical in there, real true boxing analysts, people who know the sport see the smart things I do”.
“Fighting for the Heavyweight World title has been a dream of mine since I turned professional”. “When I first started boxing in the heavyweight school I was in, those guys were 250lbs and big punchers, big heavy guys”.
Yes. Though for all of the criticisms of the heavyweight division, the champions of recent years have been of a high level; it is below them that fighters have been so limited. “This is just me and Charles going toe to toe”.
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“If he passes the test and he wants to stay at this level, maybe he will want an easy first defence by hand-picking someone he can guarantee victory over, but in a fight against me he wouldn’t be a massive favourite”.
