Thursday 11 September 2014 16:35, UK
Anthony Joshua is convinced he has what it takes to reach the top after spending ten days sparring with heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko.
The Olympic gold medallist recently travelled to Austria to help the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO champion prepare for his title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.
The undefeated 24-year-old has been tipped by many as a future world champion and said his experience in the ring with Klitschko has given him confidence he can eventually get there.
“Yes, I felt that way,” he told Sky Sports News HQ when asked if he could compete at Klitschko’s level. “Time will tell. It is a tough old sport, especially at heavyweight. I did feel comfortable.
“But I didn’t do too much. I only sparred five rounds. He stays in there for 15 rounds so that is what I have to build up to, staying switched on and concentrating for a good 12 rounds.
“At the moment I am good for six to eight, so I am just at the building stage. In the near future I should be able to mix in that company.”
Joshua was full of praise for Klitschko, who has dominated the division for over a decade, and learned valuable lessons after observing his preparations.
“I was out there for 10 days and it was a great experience,” he said. “I would love to do it again so if the offer came I would definitely shoot straight out there.
He’s a great champion, an unbelievable champion. It is not just in the ring, it is what he does outside the ring as well. He is a great role model.
“He’s a great champion, an unbelievable champion. It is not just in the ring, it is what he does outside the ring as well. He is a great role model.
“Moving in that company was different to what I am used to. He is the main man out there.
“He just knows boxing. He had the great trainer Emmanuel Steward working with him and now has got Johnathon Banks, who is a fighter and understands what the game is right now.
“It is crazy to have someone who is competing and training you, but he has a good trainer and a good camp. It is very simple but very effective.”
Joshua continues his career against Konstantin Airich this Saturday on the undercard of Scott Quigg’s WBA super-bantamweight title defence against Stephane Jamoye in Manchester.
The Watford-born fighter cannot wait to get back in the ring and is confident he can stretch his professional record to 8-0 against his Kazakh-born opponent.
“Saturday can’t come soon enough,” he said. “It’s like normal now fighting back-to-back, but I just need to get the job done this Saturday.
“A fight is a fight. There will only be one winner and hopefully, without sounding too confident, that will be me.”
Watch all the action from the Phones 4u Arena live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8:00pm on Saturday.
