Joshua: ‘My Power Is Only Going to Grow’

0
1021

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Anthony Joshua MBE claimed his first professional title on Saturday night with a brutal second round KO of Denis Bakhtov – and chillingly warned his Heavyweight rivals: ‘My power is only going to grow.’

The Olympic gold medal hero blasted Bakhtov out of the equation in just five ruthless minutes in east London, back in the venue of his debut last October.

Joshua signalled his intent in the opening round, staggering the Russian with a fierce right counter that led to the 24 year old hunting a fourth first-round stoppage.

Bakhtov, in his 48th pro fight, survived to hear the bell but Joshua’s assault began in earnest at the beginning of the second stanza and referee Ian John Lewis had seen enough after two minutes to make it nine KOs in nine fights for Joshua, and his first pro belt in the bag in the form of the WBC International strap.

“I thought he was going to be taking me five or six rounds but it’s going well and I’m putting the work in at the gym and it’s paying off on fight night,” said Joshua.

“I think it’s my accuracy really more than the power, I haven’t been doing much strength work recently because I have been in the gym so much, so I think speed and accuracy is getting me through right now.

“He came out game and as a fighter you can tell someone wants to have a go, he tried to slip in a left hook and I adjusted and thought ‘OK, this is what you are bringing to the table’ – I was back at The O2 and in London for the first time in a while so the adrenaline was pumping.”

Joshua, who turns 25 on Wednesday, now focusses his attentions on Michael Sprott whom he faces at the sold-out Echo Arena in Liverpool on November 22 live on Sky Sports Box Office – where victory over the former British champion and European title challenger will complete ‘phase one’ of his plans.

“That fight will complete a phase in my mind,” said Joshua. “People have been saying since my second fight ‘he needs to stop fighting tin cans’ and all that, it takes time though and if I keep beating people then I am going to move up, so if I beat Michael then I am sure we’ll be stepping up in 2015. We’ve done Bakhtov and got the WBC International belt and now we’re looking at Sprott, so by the end of 2015 it will be interesting to see where we are.”
4 AttachmentsView allDownload all

SHARE
Previous articleOmar Figueroa Entertaining Other Offers
Next articleStephen A. Smith Fires Back at Mayweather
The team at Thaboxingvoice.com set out with a mission to create an online environment focused on boxing that voiced the opinions, concerns, and attitudes of you, the people. Doing our best to bring you the answers you want to know, and getting the exclusives that those other guys cant. We are always working hard to get the inside scoop inside and outside of the ring. If it’s happening in Boxing, we will tell you about it! You can find us at the fights all over the place with our nationwide team of correspondents, and wide reach around the globe we have the tools and the team to bring you coverage from all the fights. Whether it is in a gym in Jersey or on the floor at MGM Grand. No fight to big or small for Tha Boxing Voice. Our experienced team combined has over 50+ years of boxing experience to bring to the table. Some of us growing up ringside, some of us growing up in the ring, no matter the situation we are all true boxing fans first and reporters second. This can be found evident on our twice-weekly podcast. We work hard to bring you interviews that answer your questions and guest who will spark your interest from all areas of the boxing world. Writers, Trainers, Promoters and the most relevant fighters before and after some of their biggest fights. We are working 24/7 to get the information to you, the listeners. We work to form a personal relationship with our listeners and our guests making our show more intimate and giving a raw, uncut and real aspect that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. We are Tha Boxing Voice, The Voice of you, The People. Follow @boxingvoiceshow