Anthony Joshua rates his confidence at just five out of 10 but the world heavyweight champ vows to become the ‘full package’
Brit claims his bid for global domination is only just starting as he prepares for first title defence against Dominic Breazeale
ANTHONY JOSHUA currently rates himself at FIVE out of ten in the confidence stakes.
You could consider that a strange declaration given the Olympic gold medallist won the IBF world title in just his 16th pro fight.
But Joshua, 26, claims he is only getting started as he bids to dominate heavyweight boxing.
The road to becoming the “full package” appears likely to include unification showdowns with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Yet before Joshua can think about overcoming his fellow world champions, he must stamp his authority in a first defence against Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night.
AJ said: “In sparring I can dance, I can try things. I need to take what we do in the gym into the ring.
“I need to get to a stage where I’m that comfortable controlling a fight I can do those things — that’s when you’ll see the greatest version of me.
“It’s a confidence thing. At the moment I’d say I’m a five in that respect.
“I look at a lot of the good fighters and athletes out there and they’re relaxed on all occasions. They can control what they do because they’re confident.
“If I thought I was going to beat Breazeale that easily, I wouldn’t train the way I do. I train the way I do because of the fear of losing.
“I need to get that confidence to think that even if I didn’t train I’d still be beat anyone in the world.
“Once you get the full package, I think you’re unstoppable.”
Joshua knocked out Charles Martin in just two rounds in April at his O2 Arena fortress to claim the IBF gold.
He returns there on Saturday knowing tougher challenges than Breazeale, 30, are to come.
But Joshua believes the hard work starts with the unbeaten American as he bids to close in on Fury and Wilder.
AJ added: “It’s not like I’m saying I’m going to take a step backwards, I’m talking about progressing now. I want to progress.
“It’s just a matter of time and it just so happens it’s starting now. It’s been a natural thing.
“I’ve no control over the decision, it’s come upon me and has been stuck in my head. I need to start building on it.
“Whether it’s right or wrong, I’ll find out when I get in the ring and start applying myself.”
The magnitude of a showdown with Fury, 27, will be dictated by whether the Gypsy King retains the WBO and WBA Super titles against Wladimir Klitschko on July 9.
But Joshua must bide his time before promoter Eddie Hearn lets him loose in the ring with his fellow Brit or WBC kingpin Wilder.
He said: “Hand on heart, I do mention these names and ask when I can fight them.
“They’re projected sometime next year, but Fury and Wilder are hot right now. The people guiding my career have a longer-term projection.
“They have to look at the wider scope, which is good because I’ve got some good guys in my corner guiding me.
“But yes, I’d love to fight them, 100 per cent.”
