Anthony Joshua: IBF World Title fight against Charles Martin a calculated risk

Exclusive: Brit vows it will be a cool head that wins him the world title in April
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John Dillon19 February 2016

Anthony Joshua promises he will keep a cool head in his world heavyweight title challenge in April after nearly causing a riot during his last appearance in the ring in London.

Joshua is bidding to win the IBF belt from the new American champion, Charles Martin, in only his 16th professional fight and there is a view that the London 2012 champion is aiming too high and too quickly at this fledgling stage of his career.

But Joshua insists the awkwardness of the task against a complex southpaw opponent with a consistent record of knockouts will ensure that he boxes calmly and sensibly before aiming for a big finish at the O2 on April 9.

He said this approach will be critical after he sparked a mini-brawl between the corner-men during his victory against fierce rival Dillian Whyte at the same venue in December, landing punches after the bell at the end of the highly charged first round.

In his public manner and style, the 26-year-old Joshua is relaxed and thoughtful and he believes these will be the attributes which serve him best against the undefeated Martin, who has knocked out 21 of his 24 opponents.

Joshua said: “If you don’t take on these challenges, people say you are being over-protected. If you do, some say some you are doing it too early. But this is a calculated risk and you have to seize an opportunity like this when it comes.

“Martin is a southpaw and he hits hard. But everyone at the top of the heavyweight division hits hard. That’s what it is about. The fact he is a southpaw and awkward means I am going to have to take my time to work him out and that will need a calm and thoughtful approach before I can really show what I can do.

“What happened against Dillian took place because there was a long history and rivalry between us. But this world title fight will be about being calm and showing my boxing and skills as well as hitting big.

“There is a lot of work to be done and I have already been in camp since mid-January. But if you ask if I’m excited about this chance, I have to say that I am not like that.

“Of course, it is a huge opportunity. But there is a job to be done and that is how I approach things.”

Martin, a 29-year-old from St Louis, has never fought professionally outside of the USA and will be making his first defence of the belt he won in January.He surprisingly claimed the vacant title when Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Glazkov was forced to retire with an injured knee in the third round in New York.

Martin is by far the weakest and least experienced heavyweight champion, the other belts being held by England’s Tyson Fury (WBA and WBO) and the American Deontay Wilder (WBC).

This has convinced Joshua’s gym team and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, that he has a major opportunity to fast-forward his plans and claim a portion of the world crown ahead of schedule — with the possibility of huge dates against Fury and Londoner David Haye then in prospect.

The explosive manner of Joshua’s seventh-round stoppage of Whyte before Christmas hugely elevated his public profile and his popularity. And the date with Martin is sure to be a 20,000 sell-out.

Joshua added: “It is a win-win situation. Martin started calling me out after he won the title and I always like to have the chance to respond to that.

“There will be a big build-up and the atmosphere inside the 02 was amazing when I last boxed there. That place really gets going. I doubt if Martin has ever fought in such an arena with such a crowd before.

“The fight week will be bigger than any I have known but its my way to be calm. Of course, if he comes over and starts talking rubbish, I will give it back. But I believe he will be respectful.”

Former WBA champion Haye, 35, made a comeback at the same venue against Australian Mark De Mori in January and is set to fight in May.

Manchester’s Fury is in negotiations for a re-match with Wladimir Klitschko after his shock world title defeat of the Ukrainian last November.

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