Anthony Joshua told fans to expect ‘fireworks’ during his fight with Carlos Takam in the final press conference before Saturday’s bout.
Joshua said the combination of his and Takam’s style will ensure fans in Cardiff get their money’s worth ahead of the much-anticipated heavyweight clash.
The 28-year-old compared his opponent’s build to a former sparring partner and believes Takam’s technique will make for a more entertaining bout than if he were fighting Kubrat Pulev, as was originally planned.
‘It’s probably a more enticing fight [than it would have been against Pulev],’ Joshua told Sky Sports’ press conference. ‘I spar my cousin Benga and he’s just like Takam’s build. I think our styles will create some real good fireworks’.
Cardiff is looking really good and it’s good to be fighting here again,’ added Joshua. ‘[Fighting] is all I do, it’s all I know and it’s an honour to be defending these belts. I’m just looking forward to getting back to business’.
Joshua said he believes ‘hungry’ fighters like Takam ensure the heavyweight division will remain exciting for the foreseeable future.
“The fans are always going to be the winners in this division now because hungry guys are coming,’ Joshua added. ‘Takam wants to perform in the ring and it’s the same with me.
“I always say, the belt isn’t always representation of me… the belts get taken out of the ring after, I can’t fight with them on my shoulder. “I’ve got a challenge in my mind, I keep my feet on the ground. I’m still hungry'”.
Takam opened up about approaching Joshua to challenge him to a fight, immediately after the Brit’s bout with Dominic Breazeale back in June 2016.
“It’s true I met Anthony on this occasion,’ Takam said via a French translator. ‘I told him we are gonna have a fight. He looked at me and said “Yes, I’m gonna do it”.
“I didn’t think it would be in this context but here we are. This fight will change my life but as a boxer not personally, not as the person I am… I am coming out to win”.
The boxers were speaking ahead of Saturday’s fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium which sees Joshua defend his WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles against Takam.
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