British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has vowed to avoid the mistakes he believes cost Deontay Wilder against Tyson Fury, insisting that he will remain calm when he faces his British rival on December 11.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion said maintaining his composure would be crucial when the pair meet at the sold-out Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The fight is scheduled to be broadcast live worldwide on Netflix.
Fury defeated Wilder twice and recorded one draw during their three-fight rivalry.
Speaking to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, Joshua explained that Wilder’s emotional approach and eagerness to finish Fury after hurting him often drained his energy, allowing the former heavyweight champion to recover and regain control.
Joshua said Wilder might have achieved a different result if he had remained more patient instead of rushing to end the fights.
He insisted that he would not allow frustration or the desire for an early knockout to dictate his strategy, adding that he intended to approach the contest with a clear head.
Beyond the rivalry, Joshua will also be chasing a historic achievement. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has disclosed that the World Boxing Association super heavyweight belt will be contested in Cardiff.
Victory would make Joshua a three-time world heavyweight champion, joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko, who have each won the title three times. Evander Holyfield won it four times.
The belt became available after Oleksandr Usyk vacated it. Murat Gassiev, the association’s leading contender, had been expected to move up for the opportunity, but the anticipated showdown between Fury and Joshua appears to have taken precedence.
Both Joshua and Fury previously lost their world titles to Usyk.
Warren, who is also promoting the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley for the World Boxing Organisation title this weekend, said the winners could be involved in unification fights in 2027.
He noted that three of the four heavyweight champions were on his promotional roster and expressed confidence that unification contests could be arranged next year.
Joshua enters the bout with a professional record of 30 wins and four defeats, including 27 victories by knockout.
Fury, meanwhile, has recorded 36 wins, two losses and one draw, with 25 knockouts.
Source: PUNCH
