Anthony Joshua reveals he is spending Christmas week in prisons as he aims to be people’s champion
Heavyweight king wants to replicate Muhammad Ali by 'staying with the people' and is aiming to motivate lags who can't see their families over festive period
ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he is spending the festive period visiting prisons in his bid to become “The People’s Champion”.
The IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO world heavyweight belt holder wants to replicate the great Muhammad Ali by starring both in and out of the ring.
So AJ, who appeared with Prince Harry on Radio 4's Today Programme today, has taken to giving advice behind bars on how to get cons back on the straight and narrow.
The 28-year-old said: “I want to achieve greatness. But I don’t want to disconnect with reality, I always want to stay with the people. I want to mix with them.
“I will be going to prisons with my team over Christmas, seeing people not allowed to see their families. They may well have made mistakes but people learn and try to better themselves. I will try to give them motivation.
“The definition in boxing is ‘The People’s Champion’. That’s how I want to be remembered.
“Ali was unbelievable, he had it tough but people grew to understand him and accepted him for who he was.”
Joshua’s next fight is set to be against Deontay Wilder or Joshua Parker but Joshua admits he fears Tyson Fury more than anyone else.
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Fury has re-applied for his licence after accepting a backdated two-year drugs ban.
AJ said: “I think Fury would be my toughest opponent if he came back in shape.
“He’s awkward in the mind and awkward in style. Everything about him is unpredictable.
“You just don’t know, he doesn’t have one significant style. He’s good as he can mix it up, he’s a man who can mix it up.
“Wilder will be next I think. His record proves he has a powerful punch. It just comes with a straight right hand. If you eliminate one of his weapons you chip the tree down and he loses his confidence.
“Parker is unpredictable. From a fighting perspective I know I can beat him. But he is now challenging with the things he is saying.
“I will have to assess Parker. He will not trouble me physically but he is trying to, mentally. I can’t be drawn into the trash talking.”
Meanwhile, AJ says he has no plans for retirement and is thinking only about boxing.
He added: “I have no Plan B. I will keep riding through the good and the bad — even if the bad outweighs the good.
“I have too much to lose to say, ‘I can’t take it any more’. That’s my motivation.”
Joshua is known for being down to earth and likes nothing more than staying out of the limelight.
He added: “When I was young, I hated being at home but now that’s where I want to be.
“Family, of course, kept me going when I was younger. My dad was a hard-working man and I wanted to achieve what he did.”