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WAS DENN: Heavyweight World Champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker discussed their März 31 heavyweight world title unification in separate media conference calls hosted by SHOWTIME Sports® am Mittwoch.
IBF and WBA Champion Joshua will square off with WBO Champion Parker Samstag, März 31 live auf Showtime (5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT) from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The undefeated champions, who boast a combined record of 44-0 mit 38 Knockouts, will meet on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® in just the second heavyweight championship unification in history between undefeated world titleholders.
Joining Joshua and Parker were Stephen Espinoza, Präsident, Sport & Event-Programmierung, Showtime Networks Inc., Eddie Hearn, Managing Director, Matchroom Boxen, and Kevin Barry, Parker’s trainer.
Hier ist, was die Teilnehmer zu sagen hatte on Wednesday’s calls:
JOSHUA CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS:
Frage: How have your preparations gone and what are your thoughts in anticipation for the big fight?
Anthony Joshua: “Preparations have gone really well. We’re still in preparation now but so far, so good. I do believe a happy fighter makes a good fighter. For the experience over my last few fights in 11 Monate have gone 11 Runde, 10 Runde, have been a blessing. I’ve learned about training camp and I’ve learned about myself. It’s the first time I’ve kind of voiced up to my coach man-to-man. I’ve said, ‘Look, this is what I’ve thought was working and this is what I feel isn’t working. Can I have your input and can we make some changes?’ Not in a sense of how he’s training me. Just in terms of schedule and it’s been really good. I’ve had some cruiserweights come in sparring for speed, some big heavy hitters who throw big right hands and left hooks and wait for me to make a mistake. We’ve been sparring 15 Runde. And honestly, I’ve been doing this for 10 years now if I rack up my amateur career and my pro career. And you know the 10,000-hour rule. I’m starting to get confident. I’ve had the ability but I think I’m matched up with my mindset now and I’m feeling really good and confident ahead of März 31.
Q: People in the U.S. are excited about your fight with Parker but there are so many American fans excited about the prospect of a fight between yourself and Wilder. What are your thoughts on that and are you able to tune that out ahead of your fight with Parker on the 31st?
Joshua: “You’ve got to remember that a lot of that talk about me and Wilder started in 2017 after he beat Bermane Stiverne but I haven’t spoken much about it. I’ve got great people in my corner that handle the business while I focus on the handling of my boxing technique. We reached out to Deontay Wilder’s team before the fight with Joseph Parker was made. And once that fight didn’t happen, I put Wilder aside and focused solely on Parker. I’m not the one overlooking Joseph Parker and I’m not the one hooting and hollering about what’s happening next. I’m really focused on Parker because as you know, if I don’t get past Parker, it slows down the train and derails everything we’re trying to achieve in terms of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”
Q: Do you allow yourself to think about the prospect of that fight in the event that you win the fight on the 31st?
Joshua: “One-hundred 10 Prozent. There’s no doubt in my mind that fight will happen. And there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll beat Wilder as well. This is where we’re heading. Fight after fight, my view on it is this…When Wladimir Klitschko was active and his brother relinquished the WBC belt, Wilder won it. If he was so interested in becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, why didn’t he offer to fight Klitschko and say ‘Listen, I’ve got that belt that your brother has had for the last 10 Jahre. Let’s me and you fight now.’ There’s a lot of pressure from fans in America, media and the papers for Wilder to step up and fight. And now we’re here and I’m that champion and I’m definitely looking forward to it. That’s why back-to-back, I’ve been racking up these belts one by one and taking fights. SHOWTIME has been riding with me for six fights, a quarter of my career. And we’re headed towards the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.”
Q: There was a report in the Telegraph (Vereinigtes Königreich) that there’s possibly going to be a meeting between yourself and the people at UFC who are now going to be getting involved in boxing. Can you give me your perspective on you joining their organization and about what they wrote today?
Joshua: “I’m riding with Eddie. He’s backed me from the get-go. And the second thing, Ich bin ein Boxer. I’m not into the UFC so I don’t know what their plans are. But every time I’ve been asked about UFC and if I would make that crossover like McGregor did with Mayweather, I’ve said yes.
Q: It wasn’t about Anthony Joshua becoming a mixed martial artist, their intentions are to promote boxing events. Dana White and the UFC view you as someone that any promotional company could build around given your star power.
Joshua: “Oh yeah, a hundred percent. I’m interested because we can all work together. Mine and Eddie’s relationship is a really good working relationship. I’m sure Eddie has an interest in working with Dana White. If it’s good business, it makes sense. I’m not into business. I’m sure Eddie’s not going to say, ‘Dana White, we’re not interested in working with you’ when we don’t know what’s on the table. We’ll listen and a hundred percent, if it makes sense, we’re all in. I’m happy that Dana White is coming into the game and hopefully he can add some excitement, progress forward, make some good money and make some good fights.”
Q: Eddie, do you have any thoughts about the story in the paper today?
Eddie Hearn: "Unterlassen Sie, I saw it and Gareth [Davies] spoke to me about it today. If Dana White wants to speak to us, obviously Anthony’s with us. We’re willing to talk to anybody and we do great business with everyone. We work with anyone, if the business is right. In the meantime, I’ll sign Conor McGregor and it’ll be fair.”
Q: You weighed 254 pounds for your last fight and there’s been some talk in the media that you’re looking to slim down for this fight. Can you tell us what weight you’re looking to check in at for this fight?
Joshua: “Let’s say 17.5, 17.4 (Stein). You’ve got to remember with this weight nonsense, no fighter should go into training camp focusing on their weight. This isn’t Weight Watchers and nobody should focus on their weight as such. But I do feel that your weight has to adapt to the style of fighter you’re facing. With Carlos Takam, he was a shorter fighter. He came in on the inside and ended up head-butting me so I knew I had to kind of be able to lean on Takam and tire him out. I knew he was going to move a lot. This wasn’t going to be a Kubrat Pulev type of fight where I’m going to be jabbing or counter punching. I was going to be sitting on top of Takam and working into the body so the weight played a good role. But now, I’m fighting someone like Parker who’s a lot quicker and moves a lot more. I have to make sure I’m lighter on my feet so I’ve adjusted to the style of fighter I’m fighting. I haven’t adjusted my weight for any other reason than the type of fighter I’m going to be facing.”
Q: Is there any truth to the idea of you being lighter and not carrying around as much muscle could help you in the long run?
Joshua: "Ich bin 20-0, I’m unified champ, muscle or not, I’m still handling business. I feel like people try to find anything to steer your mind from what’s working. I’m winning, racking up wins and it’s been going well. I wouldn’t focus on anything else than what’s working.”
Q: Do you look at Joseph Parker as the most dangerous challenge in your career thus far?"
Joshua: "Unterlassen Sie. Wladimir Klitschko.”
Q: How different of a matchup is this to Wladimir?
Joshua: “Wladimir was a phenomenal champion. I just feel people didn’t give him the credit. He doesn’t have a name that a lot of the Western fans can resonate with. It’s not like an Adam Clark. His first language wasn’t English. People didn’t really buy into it. He was dominating. He was a great champion. Ten years on top. Phänomenal. 69 Kämpfe und 64 Siegen. That’s phenomenal. I’m fighting someone that’s 24-0. Everything I learned from that fight was a blessing and it’s led me to being confident ahead of the fight with Joseph Parker. So I’m dealing with a different beast. Parker still poses a threat but doesn’t’ have half the experience that Wladimir had.”
Q: Do you think Parker is the most technical fighter you’ve faced up to this point and if so, why do you think that?
Joshua: “I think it’s because he’s had an extensive amateur career. I do believe the Lomachenkos, Rigondeauxs, Andre Wards have all had great amateur careers which led them on to be phenomenal professionals and Joseph Parker’s had that. I have to give credit where credit is due. But then, so have I and I was always told to leave the amateur’s in the background because the pros are a different game. And now we’re facing each other as professionals. I just think he has that amateur background behind him and he knows how to fight. He’s traveled the world so coming to England is nothing new to him. He’s got that in his locker, which has gotten him this far.”
Q: Looking at your 21st Kampf, what do you feel at this stage in the game that you need to improve on?
Joshua: "When I look at boxing now, everybody talks about what I need to do to be a great champion and it seems to me that it’s a right hand and a good chin. We might as well go to the night clubs around England and America and just find the biggest and ugliest looking guy and he’ll become heavyweight champion. What I need to do to become a great champion is just work on my all-around game. The fundamentals. We’re talking about balance, footwork and understanding the distance between being in range and out of range. Perfecting your jab. Use your jab 50 times before you throw your right hand. Let’s make sure your right hand is in the right position to defend a left hook in case you get countered. Everything. That’s why I say when I fought Wladimir Klitschko, he had enough time to make mistakes and come back and reign supreme as a champion. So over time, in these types of fights I’ve had early on in my career, I’ve learned what will play massive roles later on when I become one of the dominant fighters in the heavyweight division.”
Q: How do you stay dialed in and not worry about all of the outside noise regarding your career?
Joshua: “Because I know about the history of the sport. I know how easy it is to be forgotten about. I just realize that this is my time and I have to capitalize and maximize and do what’s right for me. This isn’t about being the fan favorite. I’m not here to be pat on the back. I’m here to handle my business in the best way possible and when it’s all said and done be content with the decisions I’ve made.”
Q: How would you assess your performance against Carlos Takam?
Joshua: “I won every round. I got head-butted. I couldn’t breathe through my nose. I realize that Takam was a late step in so I was preparing for someone completely different. So, what I decided to do with Carlos is just go through the motions because I realize 2018 was a massive year in terms of unifying with Joseph Parker and then potentially facing Deontay Wilder providing I win to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. So, my game plan with Takam was don’t be too explosive and don’t take too many risks. Make sure I dominate Takam and I win every round and that’s kind of how things panned out.”
Q: How do you think Joseph looked in his last fight against Hughie Fury?
Joshua: “You’ve got to look at Parker when he boxes on the front and the back foot. There’s two significant changes. When he boxes on the front foot, I think he finds it difficult to land combinations because I just think he struggled a bit against Fury when he was dancing on the edge of the ring. But when he fights people like Takam on his back foot, he’s better. I just think he really struggled with Fury when he was coming forward. I do think he won. I do think Joseph Parker won. We’re both in a position to show how great we are and why we’re real contenders in the division. That’s all it’s about now. März 31."
Q: Do you feel you’ve gotten the credit that you deserve for fighting Klitschko because of his age?
Joshua: Is Mayweather too old to still fight you think?
Q: They’re the same age, Recht?
Joshua: Genau Das. People still say Mayweather is still young and that he can still compete. The difference is, lighter weights struggle to maintain their finesse because they have to stay on a diet. They starve their body of nutrition. Heavyweights mature later. When Klitschko lost, everyone who knows boxing knew he wasn’t in the right mind frame. When he came to fight me, I just knew. He didn’t say he’s in great shape. He didn’t say he was feeling strong, but he said he’s obsessed. When your mind is right, the body will follow. That win against Klitschko was tough, I didn’t take him to points. I didn’t go there to steal the belt. I took it with both hands and it was a great fight for the history books. I’m not looking for credit, I know what that fight was and what it meant to me.”
Q: [To Hearn] What are your thoughts about Anthony’s focus on Parker with all the talk of Wilder?
Hearn: “We never have to worry about Anthony’s focus. He’s probably the most focused and driven individual you can meet. He knows the challenges and risks in front of him against Joseph Parker. One thing about Anthony is that he’s not real big on hype. We’re not really into storming the ring after fighting. When we got Klitschko in the ring after the fight, we signed a contract a few hours before that was in existence if Anthony won against [Eric] Molina that night. Until that fight is signed, Anthony won’t really get excited about that fight. He’s not really interested in talking about it or hyping it. It’s the biggest fight in world boxing. It’s a fight that’s completely irrelevant if he’s not victorious nächsten Samstag. I don’t think that it’s Deontay Wilder, it’s the other stone that needs to be turned to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. This is Anthony’s 21st fight and effectively his second unification fight. Deontay has had 40 Kämpfe. We’re well ahead of schedule. All of these fights will happen and the reality is the one that put pens to paper and that are actually happening.”
Q: How important is it to you to maintain your one-hundred percent KO ratio?
Joshua: “It’s great for the record and promotion. It’s not as important to fulfilling your game plan. Some fighters will be tough and some fighters may not be there to be knocked out. I have to have it in my locker also to be able to go the distance. In terms of promotion and saying I have a hundred percent KO ratio is great. I don’t think there’s any heavyweight in the history of his career that’s been able to have purely knockouts on his record so I don’t expect to be the first one.”
Q: When you saw Wilder fight Ortiz, did you see anything that you didn’t know about him already? Did he impress you or let you down?
Joshua: Nach 10 years as a professional and 40 fights in, Wilder’s done what he’s supposed to do. He’s supposed to win. He’s supposed to beat someone like Luiz Ortiz. Nach 10 years of any craft. Let’s say you’re working in sales and you can’t sell a person that Mercedes-Benz or whatever car it is, you’ve got big issues. Wilder’s had that experience to be able to dominate that division. He just did what routinely is supposed to happen and get the win. He struggled a bit, but he got there in the end. That’s all that matters. That’s what shows up in the history books, und W. So, I’m happy for him.”
Q: Can you elaborate on what makes you think Parker is a weird character?
Joshua: “I can’t put my finger on it.”
Hearn: “I think the weird thing was alluding to the fact that he was boding Anthony with criticism and then when we had the press conference he was nice as pie. We expected him to bring that fire to the press conference and maybe he’ll bring it next week. He was kind of one person prior to the fight and then another when we came face-to-face. But we’ll see what happens next week.”
Q: [To Hearn] Is there a rematch clause for this fight and what are the circumstances with that?
Hearn: “The details of the contract are always confidential. When there’s a great fight and the appetite to see it again, generally you’ll get it.”
Hearn (Opening Comments): “It’s a huge event. This is our sixth fight with Anthony Joshua and SHOWTIME. It’s incredible, really that we’ve had that amount of fights. It seems like the Charles Martin fight was just like yesterday. It’s incredible that in 11 Monate, Anthony Joshua has had three stadium fights. Natürlich, Wladimir Klitschko, Carlos Takam and now Joseph Parker. There have been 240,000 fans and over 2.5 million UK pay-per-view buys. It’s been an incredible run and an incredible 11 Monate. And a great March of course for SHOWTIME with a brilliant fight between Wilder and Ortiz and I think this fight has all of the ingredients to be even better than that. Es ist ein großer Kampf. Two undefeated young heavyweights. Fearless, schnell, big punching, great footwork, 24-0 gegen 20-0. I think it’s the kind of fight that we need in the world of boxing and it’s the first-ever unification fight in Britain between two reigning heavyweight world champions. And the first time in the history of the sport that two heavyweights have fought a unification fight with perfect records. It’s going to be a huge week. We have a huge press conference at SKY am kommenden Dienstag, we have a public workout am Mittwoch, the weigh-in is a national holiday on a Freitag, it’s going to be huge. Seventy-eight thousand people crammed in to Millennium Stadium for this huge unification fight. This is just the beginning for Anthony Joshua. Just another stepping stone to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and we can’t wait. It’s a great fight and we thank SHOWTIME for all their support as ever.”
PARKER CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS:
STEPHEN ESPINOZA (Opening Comments):
“Through the first six months of this year we will be delivering 11 marquee events, which includes matchups of five top-ranked fighters, of which this is one, and two unifications, of course which this is one. In this month of March all four heavyweight world title belts are at stake on SHOWTIME.
“This fight, Joshua vs. Parker, wird die 12th heavyweight fight on SHOWTIME within the last three years. We’re proud to be doing our part to help propel the reinvigoration of the heavyweight division. During those last three years the U.S. audience has gotten to know a little bit about Anthony Joshua and we are very happy to be able to further introduce them to Joseph Parker, the consensus top three heavyweight in the world and WBO Champion making his third defense and his first appearance on SHOWTIME.
“We are thrilled to have this fight; it’s right in our wheelhouse, a highly competitive, highly anticipated matchup of top fighters.”
Joseph Parker: “Preparations “It’s been a great training camp that we’ve had in Las Vegas and now we’re here in London. We have about a week and a half before the fight and like Kevin mentioned, we hit the ground running. We got some good sessions in. I’m looking forward to fighting an undefeated fighter like Anthony Joshua, who I respect. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to unify the division and unify the belts and the opportunity to put on a great display and make my mark on SHOWTIME. I can’t wait for it. Our team is excited to be here and it’s going to be a great opportunity for us.”
Q: When you watch the struggles Joshua had against Klitschko, what do you take away from that fight?
Parker: “I think being active has worked well for us. I watched that fight. He did really well in terms of coming back and showed a lot of heart to get back up off the canvas and finish off the fight and getting the win. Coming into this fight, we’re young, we’re hungry and I think if we did get him in trouble there’s no waiting for us. We know how to finish off a fight. We know how to put on the pressure and get him out of there. He has strengths and weaknesses like every other fighter has and we’ll come up with a good game plan which I believe in and if I execute, I think we’ll get the victory.”
Kevin Barry: “As we know, there’s no secret about it, this is the biggest test that Joe’s had in front of him. But I also believe that this is the biggest test that Anthony Joshua’s had in front of him. We are expecting a much better Anthony Joshua than the one that fought Klitschko. I think there’s a lot of improvement in him just as there’s a lot of improvement in Joe. We’re anticipating that the styles of both these guys are going to make for a real fan-friendly fight and a very exciting fight.”
Q: There’s so much attention paid to an Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder fight, as if it’s an assumption that he’s going to beat you. Does that bother you?
Parker: “It doesn’t really bother me. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and the fight they want to see. I think what’s important for us is that we focus on what’s in front of us and that’s Anthony Joshua. Our focus is on Anthony Joshua and being in great shape and being healthy. It gives us motivation in training and we know what our focus is. Our focus is Anthony Joshua and putting on the best performance of our lives März 31."
Q: As a fan of boxing, how good is a match like this for the sport?
Parker: “A match like this is a very big deal. As a fan of boxing and as a fighter, we love to watch the big fights and be involved in the big fights. So we’re pretty happy to be involved in the fight. I think it’s the best time for us to be involved in a big fight like this. Back a few years ago, Kevin said he’s always wanted to fight Anthony Joshua and he said to me, when we do fight this guy, it has to mean something. And it does really mean something this time. We’re both undefeated, we both have titles, we’re both world champions and we both want to unify the division so it’s going to mean a lot and it’s a big occasion.”
Q: A lot of fans don’t know you in the United States, explain to them what you will bring to the table on März 31.
Parker: “The fans haven’t really seen the best Joseph Parker there is. Going into this fight, we’ve worked on a lot of things. Wie ich sagte,, I trust in my whole team. I trust in my coach and the game plan. I’m going to bring a lot of movement, speed and power and a lot of angles. I promise that this is a fight that I’m going to make very exciting.”
Q: What was the reason behind losing weight heading into this fight?
Barry: “Joe’s still a very young heavyweight. We’ve been together for five years and we’re still a long way away from a finished product. Letztes Jahr, we bumped Joe up quite a bit. We put a bunch of muscle on him. We put an extra 10 pounds of weight on him and it actually doesn’t really work out for us. So we sat down, Joe and I, and we said that we felt he was a busier fighter, a more mobile fighter, his feet and hands were faster, when he was lighter. So for a fight like this against a big, stark, powerful guy like Joshua it was important that we went back to a mobile, lighter fighter.”
Q: Do you think Joshua and Eddie Hearn saw something the rest of the world didn’t see in your fight against Hughie Fury, which wasn’t your best performance?
Parker: “Last year wasn’t our best year and I wasn’t close to what we can actually do in the ring. They probably saw a lot of things that they could work on to get to us but we’re a totally different fighter now from where we were last year. We’ve improved on a lot of things and we’re going to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard on in Vegas.”
Q: What would it mean to you to become the unified heavyweight champion?
Parker: “It would mean a lot. It would mean the world, not only for myself but for our team. There’s a lot of people that’s involved in getting me to this stage and there’s a lot of people that want me to go out there and put on my best performance. It’s going to mean a lot for myself, mein Team, my coach and my countries of New Zealand and Samoa.”
Q: Are you concerned that if the fight goes to the scorecards you won’t get a fair shake because of Joshua’s popularity in Great Britain?
Parker: “I’m not concerned and the reason I say that is because we have good officials. My team has done a great job to get neutral officials and my focus is on the fight. I want to go out there and do my best. Was auch immer passiert, happens. But I trust that the officials will do the right thing and give the right decision.”
Barry: ”It was very important for us when we were formulating this contract that we had independent, neutral officials. We have three judges – one from the United States, one from the UK and one from New Zealand. And we have an Italian referee so we’re very happy with the names that have been put forward that there will be no disputing the decision. We believe that we have fair, very experienced officials who will do a good job come Saturday the 31st."
Q: Do you think Joshua is underestimating you based on what they saw in that fight against Fury?
Parker: “I think on that performance, they are underestimating us and I think a lot of people are already writing us off because of that performance. Aber, wie ich sagte, we’ve worked on a lot of things and we had a great camp and it’s going to be a different fight as you guys will see März 31. If they’re judging us off that fight, then they’ve got it totally wrong. That could definitely work in our favor.”
Barry: “I think the same will go for both camps. If they’re looking at the Fury fight, we know that Joseph is a much better fighter than that. Fury was a very awkward opponent, an opponent that we wouldn’t have even been in the ring with if it wasn’t for a mandatory. Looking at Joshua’s last fight with Carlos Takam, he really didn’t light the world on fire in that fight and he left a lot of question marks about his performance. We’re expecting a much better Joshua than the one that fought Carlos Takam. So the same can be said both ways.”
Q: What did you think of Joshua’s performance against Takam?
Parker: “It wasn’t his best effort but he did what he had to do to get the victory. Maybe training with someone who was a lot taller and then fighting somebody shorter changed the way that he approached the fight but I think the main thing is that he got the victory and he kept the belts and that’s why we can make this big fight happen.”
Q: What do you think your advantages are over Joshua?
Parker: “I’ve been 12 rounds five times so I’m durable. With this training camp that we’ve had, we’ve worked a lot on different angles and speed. What we’ve been seeing in the gym and in sparring, we’re going to put on display come fight night. I think I have advantages in speed and power. If we execute it well on fight night then he won’t be able to catch us and he won’t be able to land that big shot that he throws.”
Barry: “Speed is the key. We’ve always believed that Joe’s the fastest heavyweight in the world. I also believe that out of all the heavyweight champions, I think Joe has the better skill. I think he does things better than Joshua does. I think he’s more complete than Joshua. Is he as big as Joshua? Unterlassen Sie. Is his reach as long as Joshua’s? Unterlassen Sie. Joshua’s got a 100 percent knockout record but I believe Joseph Parker is a better skilled fighter than Antony Joshua and I think when we put the movement, the hand speed and the skill together, it’s going to be a very good combination and a successful combination on März 31."
Q: Do you want to make a prediction for the fight?
Parker: “I’m going to be victorious. Es wird ein großer Kampf werden. We’re both hungry, we’re both undefeated and we’ve both been training hard but I believe in myself. I believe in my team and what we’ve been working on. I believe I’m going to be victorious März 31."
Q: Do you think that Joshua’s chin is a big weakness for him?
Barry: “I think he has a pretty good chin. I know that we used the glass door as part of our marketing strategy in putting this fight together, but we believe as a team that Joshua has a good chin. He’s fought some big guys. He’s been hit on the chin before. Sicher, he got dropped against Klitschko and there were stories of him getting dropped multiple times in the amateurs and that he was dropped in the gym in sparring, but all in all he’s a big, stark, powerful guy and I think his chin is not too bad.”
Barry (Opening Comments): “We’ve been in the gym running each morning at 6:30, 7:00 and in the boxing gym at 2:30. We’ve been doing between 16 und 18 rounds of boxing each day. Today we sparred and Joe is looking very sharp, very confident and the little bit of jet lag that we had is getting less and less by the day and we anticipate by this weekend we’ll have both feet firmly planted on the ground ready for a big week next week.”
Von: Reiche Bergeron
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ist nicht fertig zu kämpfen. Das Geld, das er mit Conor McGregor in einem einseitigen Boxkampf verdient hat, wird außerhalb der gefährlichen Welt des Kampfsports nicht leicht zu verdienen sein. Der Ruhestand scheint bei Floyd immer zu essen, und früher oder später kommt er zurück, um einen weiteren Blockbuster-Kampf zu bestreiten, der die Welt schockiert.
CM Punk braucht ein Unentschieden, um uns für seine Karriere zu interessieren. Selbst wenn er den immer lebenden Mist des nächsten Mannes schlägt, füttern sie ihn im UFC Octagon, Punk wird noch viel zu beweisen haben. Setzen Sie ihn gegen Mayweather ein und begrüßen Sie den MMA-Kampf für den Weltklasse-Boxer, und machen Sie es zum Traum-Setup für Floyd, das ihm alle Vergünstigungen und Sponsoring-Zugeständnisse gibt, die er im Vertrag haben möchte.
Floyd wäre ein automatischer Außenseiter, der sofort im Käfig gegen McGregor antritt. Ein Herausforderer wie CM Punk gibt ihm mehr Kampfchancen. Es gibt CM Punk eine Chance, seine Karriere wirklich zu starten, wenn er Floyd schlagen kann.
Die Tatsache ist,, Mayweather kann den Sport der gemischten Kampfkünste schnell erlernen, und mit seiner Geschwindigkeit und Sportlichkeit, Angesichts auffälligerer Optionen könnte er uns in seinem ersten MMA-Kampf tatsächlich schockieren… wenn er seine Rede vom Kämpfen im Käfig wirklich mit Action untermauert.
Während der Tour zum Boxkampf, Floyd verwies wiederholt auf die Idee, McGregor im Käfig zu bekämpfen, nachdem der Boxkampf seinen Weg gegangen war. Er sagt keine Dinge laut, die er nicht wirklich für wahr hält oder die wahr sein könnten, wenn er sich anstrengt.
Ich hatte das Glück, vor Jahren während einer Mayweather-Trainingseinheit in Las Vegas neben Leonard Ellerbe am Rand des Rings zu stehen.
Bevor er Schläge auf die Handschuhe warf, fragte ich ihn, was er am Boxen am meisten mochte. Ich habe während des großen Pressesturms nicht versucht, näher zu kommen, Ich denke, er hat die Frage nicht erwartet.
Er saß schweigend da, und ich wollte nicht, dass es wie ein böser Furz im Wind hängt. Ich fragte es noch einmal, sogar lauter. Er sah nicht in meine Richtung, als er mit sich selbst schattierte. “Alles.” er räumte schließlich ein, und dann machte er sich an die Arbeit, um seine Geschwindigkeit und Schlagkraft für alle Medien zu demonstrieren.
Ellbogen einbauen, Rückenfäuste, Tritte und Wrestling in seine Kampfroutine könnten aus Mayweather ein echtes Monster machen. Auch, Das Geld vom Boxen, das ihm in den Käfig folgen würde, könnte für ihn und die UFC gleichermaßen enorm sein. In seinem Alter wird es eine Menge Arbeit erfordern, sich an den neuen Sport anzupassen, Aber CM Punk als erster Gegner legt die Messlatte ziemlich niedrig, und beide Männer haben die Chance zu zeigen, dass sie dazu gehören. Geben Sie beiden ein ernstes Trainingslager, mach eine Reality-Show daraus, und es könnte passieren.
“Geld” bereitet sich bereits darauf vor, mit UFC Champ Tyron Woodley in gemischten Kampfkünsten zu trainieren, und er lobte kürzlich Woodley und McGregor als Kämpfer:
Die Debatte zwischen MMA und Boxen dauert schon lange an, bevor ich mich entschied, sie mit einer Reihe von Radiosendungen, in denen ein Experte gegen einen anderen antritt, selbst in die Hand zu nehmen. Einer meiner Favoriten war “Eisverkäufer” John Scully gegen Ken Shamrock.
Nicht überraschend, Die Debatte zwischen diesen beiden Experten für Kämpfer und Trainer ging auf Mayweather über und machte den Übergang zu MMA. Dies ist für Floyd kein neues Konzept. Er hört die Kritiker kläffen, dass er es seit mehr als einem Jahrzehnt nie mehr in MMA geschafft hat, Ich dachte immer daran, wie er eines Tages beweisen könnte, dass seine Hasser falsch liegen.
Wer glaubt, der beste MMA-Kämpfer seiner Gewichtsklasse würde Floyd zerstören, hat ihn noch nie trainieren sehen. Was konnte dieser Typ mit ein paar Abstimmungskämpfen und einer Titelneigung anfangen?? Wie wäre es mit 9 Monate hartes Training in Takedown und Submission Defense?
Jeder und sein Bruder, der etwas über MMA weiß, beschließt, das Argument aller früheren Boxer zu verwenden, die bei MMA versagt haben. Sie erinnern uns an den Freakshow-Kampf, bei dem Randy Couture James Toney leicht besiegen konnte. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ist nicht nur auf einer anderen Ebene als James Toney, als er die Chance bekam, im Käfig zu kämpfen, Er ist auf einem anderen Planeten.
Floyd kann sich die besten Trainer leisten, Das Beste von allem, um sich auf den Eintritt in das UFC Octagon vorzubereiten. Er wird keine Kosten in Bezug auf Finanzen und Eigenkapital sparen, um sein Erbe als bester Crossover-Kämpfer in der Geschichte der Box- und MMA-Rivalität zu festigen. Wer hat die besten wahren Athleten? Mayweather repräsentiert das Beste des Boxens, und er hat nicht mehr viel Zeit, um zu beweisen, dass ein Weltklasse-Boxer die MMA-Szene mit dem richtigen Ansatz und der richtigen Strategie dominieren kann.
McGregor hat bewiesen, dass er Floyd ein paar Passungen in den Boxring geben kann, aber beim dritten Kampf in einen UFC-Vertrag könnte dieses Match im Käfig wieder vorkommen. Floyd muss nur zeigen, dass er dazu gehört, Aber der erste Schritt besteht darin, den Mut zu haben, seine Worte mit Taten zu untermauern. Er sagte auf der Boxpressetour für den McGregor-Kampf, als er McGregor in seinem eigenen Handwerk besiegte, Er würde zur UFC gehen und Conor im Käfig schlagen, zu.
Ich erwarte a “Haifischbecken” Art der Verhandlungen zwischen Mayweather und UFC-Präsident Dana White. Floyd muss einen Teil der Promotion selbst bekommen, Zugang zu einer wilden Menge an Sponsorengeld, Optionen zum Sammeln von Medieneinnahmen, und zumindest $10 Millionen pro Kampf in gerechter Grundvergütung. Um den Milliardenvertrag zu bekommen, stellt er sich vor, Die Anwälte werden die Details ausbügeln, solange Floyd entscheidet, dass er für seinen ersten Kampf trainieren muss.
Floyd konnte leicht rechen $90+ Millionen in Sponsoring und Medieneinnahmen zu machen $100 Millionen pro Kampf mit Showtime-Führungskräften in seiner Ecke und der Vertrautheit, vor den Kameras zu stehen. Ein Fünf-Kampf-Deal bedeutet, dass es einen gibt 1/2 Milliarden-Dollar-Lücke, es sei denn, ich unterschätze, wie viel die UFC Floyd für die Grundvergütung geben würde. Auch wenn er macht $200 Millionen pro Kampf, Der Rest müsste aus dem Gesamtunternehmen selbst als Eigenkapital stammen, Darum hat Conor McGregor gebeten.
Floyd hat nur einen größeren Vorteil als Eigentümer / Partner und wäre ein großer Vorteil, wenn es darum geht, dass die UFC irgendwann das Boxen fördern will. Er kann auch seine Fans mitbringen und jeder, der ihn sehen will, wird in der neuen Disziplin ausgepeitscht und geschult. Er bringt Augäpfel, extreme Aufmerksamkeit und Geld mit ihm, wohin er geht. An einer $5 Milliardenbewertung, Die UFC könnte sich wahrscheinlich von einem zehnprozentigen Teil der Beförderung trennen, um Mayweather offiziell an Bord zu bringen und ihn für einen langfristigen Deal einzusperren.
Der andere Bereich, auf den Floyd einen großen Einfluss haben könnte, besteht darin, mehr Boxer für MMA zu gewinnen. Wir haben gesehen, dass Fußballspieler wie Matt Mitrione und Greg Hardy bei MMA praktisch sofort Erfolg haben, Warum also nicht ein Weltklasse-Boxer wie Floyd?? 19-0 Pro Boxer Gervonta Davis deutet bereits an, seinem Schützling Floyd zu MMA zu folgen und sagt Er wartet nur auf Dana Whites Anruf. Dann gibt es die Schwergewichts-Boxer, die darüber nachdenken, in den Käfig zu bringen, und Word Champion Anthony Joshua ist sehr daran interessiert, es zu versuchen, zu.
So, Die Chancen stehen gut, dass Mayweather bis Dezember dieses Jahres in den Käfig tritt, wenn Sie glauben, dass eines seiner bislang umstrittensten Videos zu diesem Thema vorliegt:
Mayweather könnte ein unglaublicher MMA-Kämpfer sein, wenn man ihm die halbe Chance gibt. Er ist kein Mann, der eine solche Herausforderung leicht nimmt. Er wird den bestmöglichen Ansatz haben, um in Käfigkampfform zu kommen. Er wird alle Arten von Interesse zurück zum Boxen bringen. MMA-Debatte und könnte sogar eine ganz neue Phase dieser Debatte inspirieren. Die gesamte Kampfsportwelt wird davon profitieren, wenn Floyd und die UFC diese Partnerschaft zum Funktionieren bringen können.
Was diejenigen betrifft, die glauben, Floyd werde lebendig gefressen, Sie haben sicherlich ein Recht auf ihre Meinung, Aber nutzen Sie McGregors Versagen, sich an das Boxen anzupassen, nicht als Ihre Bar für Floyd. Mayweather wird es nicht mit einem Weltklasse-MMA-Kämpfer aufnehmen, wenn er zum ersten Mal in den Käfig tritt. Er wird das MMA-Äquivalent von Paulie Malignaggi nicht einbringen, um sich über den Sport zu informieren. Er wird keine Kosten scheuen, um die bestmögliche Vorbereitung zu erhalten. Er zeigt dies bereits, indem er Tyron Woodley als seinen offiziellen Trainingspartner engagiert. Er wird seinen ersten Gegner von Hand auswählen und wahrscheinlich keinen Riss bei einem Titel bekommen, bis zwei oder drei Kämpfe seinen Weg gehen.
Kritiker von Leuten, die glauben, sie könnten in ein MMA-Fitnessstudio gehen und in sechs Wochen auf UFC-Ebene herauskommen, werden mich verrückt nennen, Aber Floyd ist wirklich ein erstaunlicher Athlet, der seine Zweifler beruhigen kann, und er wird nicht jünger. Es ist jetzt oder nie zu lösen, welche Sportart wirklich besser ist, um den idealen Kämpfer herzustellen.
All Four Heavyweight World Championship Titles At Stake On Industry-Leading 2018 Showtime Championship Boxing® Zeitplan
Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxen; Click Image For High-Res Version
NEW YORK – Februar 5, 2018 – SHOWTIME Sports will present the heavyweight world championship unification between undefeated IBF and WBA World Champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten WBO World Champion Joseph Parker on Samstag, März 31 live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Die britische Sensation Joshua, who has knocked out all 20 seiner beruflichen Gegner, burst onto the global scene with a dramatic knockout of long-reigning heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko in the universally acclaimed 2017 Kampf des Jahres. In two fights last year, Joshua drew 168,000 spectators combined to massive stadium events in the U.K. Jetzt, he faces another significant challenge in Parker, a native of New Zealand with 24 Siegen, no losses and 18 Knockouts. Parker is attempting the third world title defense of his WBO belt.
With the addition of Joshua vs. Parker, all four heavyweight world championship belts will be at stake in the same month on SHOWTIME as undefeated American Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) will defend his WBC title against unbeaten Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) auf Samstag, März 3 von Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The four top-rated heavyweights — Wilder, Ortiz, Joshua and Parker — boast a combined record of 111 Siegen, zero losses and 100 Knockouts.
Both heavyweight championships are cornerstones of a remarkable 2018 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING schedule that now includes 16 undefeated fighters and 13 world titles fights across 11 marquee events through the first six months of the year.
“The heavyweight division is in the midst of a renaissance, and SHOWTIME is delivering all of the pivotal bouts to our subscribers,", Sagte Stephen Espinoza, Präsident, Sports and Event Programing, Showtime Networks Inc.. “Anthony Joshua is a global superstar, and we’re proud to present his sixth, and perhaps most challenging, world title fight to the U.S. Publikum. Joshua vs. Parker will be the 12th heavyweight world championship match on SHOWTIME since Deontay Wilder won his title in 2015, an undisputed industry-leading offering in boxing’s preeminent division.”
Joshua vs. Parker is just the second heavyweight championship unification in history between undefeated world titleholders. The only fighter to emerge victorious from a matchup of unbeaten heavyweight world champions was Mike Tyson in 1987.
The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Duco Events. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise the event live from Principality Stadium where organizers expect a sell-out of 80,000 Zuschauer. The host of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Brian Custer. Mauro Ranallo calls the action from ringside along with International Boxing Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division world champion Paul Malignaggi. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSIP BOXING is produced by David Dinkins Jr, and directed by Chuck McKean. The start time for the März 31 telecast will be announced.
Showtime Networks Inc.. (SNI), eine hundertprozentige Tochtergesellschaft der CBS Corporation,, besitzt und betreibt die Premium-TV-Netze SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ™ und FLIX®, und bietet auch Showtime ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ™ ON DEMAND und FLIX ON DEMAND®, und der Netzwerkauthentifizierungsdienst Showtime ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., eine hundertprozentige Tochtergesellschaft der SNI, betreibt den Stand-alone-Streaming-Dienst SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME steht Abonnenten derzeit per Kabel zur Verfügung, DBS und Telco-Anbieter, und als Stand-alone-Streaming-Dienst über Apple®, Jahr®, Amazonas, Google, Xbox One und Samsung. Die Verbraucher können auch auf Showtime über Hulu abonnieren, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Jetzt, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI verwaltet auch Smithsonian Networks™, ein Joint Venture zwischen SNI und der Smithsonian Institution, das bietet Smithsonian Channel-™, und bietet Smithsonian Erde™ bis SN Digital-LLC. SNI vermarktet und vertreibt Sport- und Unterhaltungsveranstaltungen für Ausstellung Abonnenten auf einer Pay-per-View-Basis durch Showtime PPV®. Weitere Informationen, gehen Sie zu www.SHO.com
Tom, Tony und Rich sind diese Woche mit einer großartigen Show zurück! Wir bieten viele spannende Diskussionen über gemischte Kampfkünste und Boxen, von Connor McGregors Ohrfeigen eines Bellator-Beamten bis zu Deontay Wilder, der Anthony Josuas Karriere beenden wollte. Wir unterhalten uns auch über Dana White, die sich mit Boxen und Bellators beschäftigt 8 Mann Schwergewichtsturnier. Wieder kommen wir auf die quälende Frage zurück, wo die Legenden in MMA sind, und wir gehen auch dahin, wo die Legenden im Boxen sind?
Joshua vs. Takam, Der erste von aufeinander folgenden Schwergewichts-Weltmeistertitelkämpfen auf SHOWTIME, Wiederholungen HEUTE NACHT um 10:40 p.m. UND/PT auf Showtime; Und am Sonntagmorgen um 10 a.m. UND/PT auf Showtime EXTREME
KLICKEN SIE FÜR FOTOS VON CARDIFF; Kredit Esther Lin / Showtime
CARDIFF, WALES (Oktober. 28, 2017) – Der ungeschlagene und einheitliche Schwergewichts-Weltmeister Anthony Joshua stoppte den IBF-Pflichtherausforderer Carlos Takam in der 10th Runde am Samstag Nacht im Fürstentum Stadion in Cardiff, Wales, bei dem die Britische Sensation verbesserte sich auf 20 Siegen, alle durch KO, und behielt sowohl seinen IBF- als auch seinen WBA-WM-Titelgürtel.
Joshua vs. Takam wurde vor einem Rekord bestritten 78,000 Fans, die größte jemals für ein Indoor-Box-Event und war der erste von aufeinanderfolgenden Schwergewichts-Weltmeistertitelkämpfen, die live auf SHOWTIME ausgestrahlt wurden. Nächster Samstag, November. 4, WBC-Schwergewichts-Weltmeister Deontay Wilder macht Schlagzeilen in einer Fernsehsendung mit drei Kämpfen, als er im Barclays Center in Brooklyn auf die ehemalige Weltmeisterin Bermane Stiverne trifft, NY.
Kreative Kombinationen und einige innere Kämpfe, die der hochrangige Joshua selten gesehen hat, eröffneten einen Schnitt über Takams rechtem Auge und schlug den Herausforderer in der 4th. Später, Joshua riss eine weitere Schnittwunde über dem linken Auge auf, aber ein blutiger und mitgenommener Takam drängte weiter nach vorne. Takam konnte in den mittleren Runden einige bedeutende Schläge landen, aber nicht genug, um Joshua aus dem Spiel zu nehmen.
Im 10th, nachdem Joshua mehrere große Schläge landete, darunter eine Links-Rechts-Kombination, die den mutigen Herausforderer erschütterte, Schiedsrichter Phil Edwards schritt ein und stoppte den Kampf um 1:34.
„Ich habe die Fassung bewahrt,“, sagte Joshua, als er nach einem Kopfstoß in der zweiten Runde gefragt wurde, der dem Champions die Nase gebrochen haben könnte. "Wir werden mir die Nase wieder knacken lassen und dann können wir wieder mit dem Training beginnen."
Als der Ringreporter von SKY Sports, Andy Scott, den geliebten Champion nach einem Vereinigungskampf mit dem ungeschlagenen Champion Wilder . fragte, Joshua sagte, „Es muss passieren. Es muss auf jeden Fall passieren. Wenn es darauf ankommt, die IBF, IBO und WBA haben obligatorische Herausforderer. Ich kann nicht einfach gegen jeden Joe Blow kämpfen, den ich will. Ich muss die Verpflichtungen als Champion bekämpfen und wenn ich diese erfülle, Meine Tür ist offen, um gegen jeden zu kämpfen, sei es Wilder oder sonst jemand.
„Jeder hat gesehen, wie schwer es war, die Gürtel zu bekommen," er machte weiter. "Ich gebe sie für niemanden auf."
Auf die Frage nach Kämpfen in Übersee in Amerika oder anderswo, Joshua antwortete zur Freude des Vereinigten Königreichs. Fans, "Wie ich sagte, Es ist nicht meine Entscheidung, was außerhalb des Rings passiert … aber sieh dir an, was Boxen macht. Wir bekommen Leute aus ganz Großbritannien. und aus verschiedenen Ländern. Ich denke, wir sollten hier in Großbritannien weiter boxen.“
Für weitere Informationen besuchen www.SHO.com/Sports, folgen auf Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, oder werden Sie ein Fan auf Facebook anwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.
Showtime Championship Boxing® Live At 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT vom ausverkauften Fürstentumsstadion in Cardiff, Wales
Klicken HIER Für Fotos Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
CARDIFF, WALES (Oktober. 27, 2017) – Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua gab den Ausschlag für ein Karriere-High 254 Pfund und IBF Pflichtherausforderer Carlos Takam gemessen 235 ½ Pfund für ihren Schwergewichts-Showdown morgen auf Showtime.
Die Sendung SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginnt live um 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT aus dem ausverkauften Principality Stadium in Cardiff, wo schätzungsweise 78,000 Fans treffen sich zum größten Indoor-Event der Boxgeschichte.
Joshua, wer ging an den vorbei 10th Runde erstmals mit einem sensationellen Knockout von Wladimir Klitschko auf April 29, versprochene Konditionierung war kein Problem.
„Ich bin viel mehr gelaufen. Vielleicht fange ich mit zunehmendem Alter an auszufüllen und ich fange an, mein natürliches Gewicht zu finden,“, sagte Joshua. „Wer weiß, was es ist. Ich fühle mich definitiv viel fitter als in früheren Kämpfen.“
The referee for Samstag contest is Phil Edwards and the judges scoring ringside are Michael Alexander (England), Pawel Kardyni (Polen) and Ron McNair (New York).
If Joshua’s previous 19 bouts are any indication, the judges might not be necessary.
“I’m not going to say I’m going to knock him out and smash him up and all these types of things,” said Joshua, who has knocked out all of his professional opponents en route to unifying the heavyweight division. “But that’s what I have to do.”
“He’s definitely going to take me into late waters and that’s where it’s going to be interesting.” – Anthony Joshua
“I saw Joshua go down. I saw he has a weak point.” – Carlos Takam
Showtime Championship Boxing® Live At 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT vom ausverkauften Fürstentumsstadion in Cardiff, Wales
Klicken HIER Für Fotos Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
CARDIFF, WALES (Oktober. 26, 2017) – Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam faced off at the National Museum in Cardiff am Donnerstag during the final press conference for their heavyweight blockbuster an diesem Samstaglive on SHOWTIME from sold-out Principality Stadium.
Joshua and Takam will square off in front of an all-time indoor boxing record of 78,000 fans on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT in the U.S.
Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) returns for the first time since unifying the heavyweight division via knockout in a leading Fight of the Year thriller with long-reigning kingpin Wladimir Klitschko this past April.
“We’re going to have to put that Klitschko win to the side at some stage because boxing is unforgiving,“, sagte Joshua am Donnerstag. “That was that. This is now. Carlos is a completely different animal than Klitschko.
“Who knows what’s going to happen in that ring Samstag. This division is unpredictable. You saw I got tired in the fifth round against Klitschko. Am I going to find out I’m only a five round fighter? Takam is tough and can go the distance. He’s definitely going to take me into late waters and that’s where it’s going to be interesting.”
Takam (35-3-1, 27 KOs) has experience in close bouts with reigning WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker and former challenger Alexander Povetkin. Die 2004 Olympian from Cameroon enters the contest having boxed more than three times the professional rounds as Joshua.
“My experience will help me win the fight,” Takam said. “I’ve been in there with a champion. When we get in the ring it’s just two fighters. Only at the end of the fight will we know who the real world champion is.
“I saw Joshua go down. I saw he has a weak point, and we’ve been working on targeting that.”
Joshua and Takam meet 24 years after Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno squared off in the first all-British heavyweight world championship in front of more than 25,000 fans at the National Stadium in Cardiff. There will be more than 78,000 at the new National Stadium – Principality Stadium – am Samstag.
Here’s what the fighters had to say am Donnerstag:
Anthony Joshua
“Fighting is all I do. It’s all I know. It’s an honor to be defending these belts. I don’t always like to talk about the belts because I’ve always been a fighter before that and I’ve always had the ambition of being a talented fighter before I became champion. I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring and handling business.
“We’re going to have to put that Klitschko win to the side at some stage because boxing is unforgiving. That was that. This is now. Carlos is a completely different animal than Klitschko.
“I do know that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win. In terms of style, technique and preparation, it’s completely different. Every camp is completely different. My mindset is completely different. All will be revealed Samstag. Best of luck to both men and the best man will win.
"[Trainer Rob McCracken] has never just trained me for one style of opponent. He’s trained me to be the best me. He’s trained me to be ready, to be fit, to be focused and to adapt new skills to my boxing. No matter who my opponent is, I’ll always be in good condition to compete against any champion or any contender in the world.
“We’re in the business of providing really good fights. We’re not here to tip and tap and run for 12 Runde. We’re here to get stuck in.
“I know what it’s like to be the non-champion fighting for a championship. When there’s that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it’s going to be competitive. This is heavyweight championship boxing. Both of us are on the same elite level so you’re going to see an elite fight.
“Who knows what’s going to happen in that ring Samstag. This division is unpredictable. You saw I got tired in the fifth round against Klitschko. Am I going to find out I’m only a five round fighter? Takam is tough and can go the distance. He’s definitely going to take me into late waters and that’s where it’s going to be interesting.
“With [Takam’s] style and his strength, I wish I came into this fight heavier so we could just stand there and slug it out with each other. Why’d I come in lighter? I thought I was fighting Pulev – a real amateur-style boxer. I had to stay off the line, jab with him and match his speed. Takam is a completely different style of fighter so I might have come in a bit heavier if I knew I was fighting Takam.
“I’m just a reflection of hard work. The UK boxing scene is quite grassroots. I still go to my amateur club. Just before this championship fight, I was training with all the amateurs – kids that were just 10 Jahr alt. You can only achieve what you see, so when they’re training with Olympians and professional World Champions, they’re inspired. That’s real nice to be the champion and still keep it real training with the grassroots athletes.”
Carlos Takam
“My experience will help me win the fight. I’ve been in there with a champion. When we get in the ring it’s just two fighters. Only at the end of the fight will we know who the real world champion is.
“I saw Joshua go down. I saw he has a weak point, and we’ve been working on targeting that.”
“I’m going to box my way. I’m going to come forward, fight my fight.
“I believe in myself. I’m confined. It wouldn’t be a shock if I won because of the confidence I have.
“When I heard about the fight, I was already in preparation for another fight so I had to completely change the way I trained to be ready for this fight. I’m coming out on the 28th to win the fight.
“All I can do is invite you to see the outcome of the fight on the 28th. I’m coming out to win.
“I know it’s going to be a great fight. This will change my life in boxing but not from the person I am.”
Unified Champion Joshua Defends On SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live At 5 p.m. UND / 2 p.m. PT From Principality Stadium In Cardiff, Wales
Klicken HIER Für Fotos; Kredit Esther Lin / Showtime
CARDIFF, WALES (Oktober. 25, 2017) – Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam worked out in front of approximately 1,400 fans on Wednesday at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff, just three days before they square off an diesem Samstag live auf Showtime.
The near-capacity crowd at the National Concert Hall of Wales serves as a prelude to the record-breaking audience expected at Principality Stadium am Samstag wo mehr als 75,000 fans will set boxing’s all-time indoor attendance record at the retractable roof facility.
Die Sendung SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginnt live um 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT from ringside in Cardiff as Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) returns for the first time since unifying the heavyweight division. The undefeated British sensation picked up the WBA belt to go along with his IBF crown on April 29 in a leading Fight of the Year thriller with Wladimir Klitschko.
“We’re going to have a war. We’re going to wear our hearts on our sleeves,“, sagte Joshua. “This is what fighting’s about. With me, it ain’t about all this other stuff that goes on outside the ring. When people come to watch me box, they know they’re going to have a good time. They know they’re going to see knockouts.”
Takam (35-3-1, 27 KOs), ein 2004 Olympian from Cameroon, packs a lengthy resume as he looks to shock the world and become heavyweight champion.
“He’s a world champion, he’s earned his belt,” said the 36-year-old Takam. “But I’m coming here to take it.”
Joshua vs. Takam is the first of two consecutive heavyweight world bouts on SHOWTIME. Nächster Samstag, November. 4, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will defend his title in a rematch with Bermane Stiverne, the only opponent to last the distance with the American champion in 38 Profi Kämpfe.
Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“I’ve never been nervous about fighting but I think this stadium is going to be different. There’s a closed roof. I know the energy and the atmosphere is going to be bouncing up and down off the roof and it’s going to be nothing like before. Wie ich gesagt habe, wenn Samstag night is a little bit like the people today here at the public workout, it’s going to be phenomenal.
“This is what fighting’s about – different styles and different types of opponents. But the best opponent you can work on is yourself so I’ve definitely been improving myself. I can talk about a million things I’ve been working on but at the end of the day, as soon as that first bell rings, that’s when it matters.
“We’re going to have a war. We’re going to wear our hearts on our sleeves. This is what fighting’s about. With me, it ain’t about all this other stuff that goes on outside the ring. When people come to watch me box, they know they’re going to have a good time. They know they’re going to see knockouts. They’re going to see a bit of blood and a bit of respect after.
“I think the UK has been sending a statement for a long time. It wasn’t so long ago that U.K. heavyweights or boxers weren’t getting a look. Jetzt, all the Americans are talking about U.K. Kämpfer. We’ve definitely been sending a statement over to the States for a long time.
"[Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder] can watch me a million times but it’s so different when you get in these ropes. When you get in here, you can watch somebody a million times, but it’s a different challenge when you face someone face-to-face.
“We have to deliver. The fans know what they want, I know what they want. It’s my job to deliver. I haven’t got to say it – I know already and the fans know. Let’s just deliver Samstag night and we’ll look forward to a promising 2018.”
On opponent Takam, who became the mandatory challenger after an injury to Kubrat Pulev:
“First and foremost, massive credit to Eddie [Hearn] because he’s done amazing work. He was ahead of the game and he’s managed to allow this show to go ahead. Credit to Carlos Takam, a true athlete who stays fit all year round. He’s not someone who just trains for a fight, he seems to keep himself conditioned and that’s what we like. He’s the same as myself. And I think – what would I do? Would I give up the IBF belt? Hell no. I worked too hard for it.”
CARLOS TAKAM:
“I’m ready for this fight, I’m ready for everything he has. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. We were in the gym getting ready, hoping we would get this chance.
“He’s a world champion, he’s earned his belt. But I’m coming here to take it. You have to defend your title, and I’m not going to make it easy. I’m going to make this the fight of the year.
“If I can do things differently from what other boxers have done against him, I’ll have a chance to win by knockout.
“A lot of people have asked me if I see any weaknesses in Joshua’s style. All I can say is we will see on fight night.
“I’m not bothered about fighting in front of 80,000 Menschen, the only people in the ring will be myself and Joshua, nothing else matters except us.”
An Examination Of Joshua’s Career Progression Toward Heavyweight Championship & Unification Written and Narrated By Steve Farhood
Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam | Samstag, Oktober. 28
Live auf Showtime® Bei 5 p.m. UND / 2 p.m. PT
Photo Credit: Esther Lin / Showtime
WAS DENN: International Boxing Hall of Famer and historian Steve Farhood examines the career of Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua in advance of his title defense against IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam on Samstag, Oktober. 28live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
In the latest edition of the SHOWTIME Sports® digital series “Ring Resume,” Farhood takes an in-depth look at Joshua’s career beginning with his 2015 showdown with then-unbeaten Gary Cornish. The six-fight examination culminates with his career-defining win over Wladimir Klitschko to unify the division earlier this year.
Die Oktober. 28 Showtime Championship Boxing® telecast begins live at 5 p.m. UND/2 p.m. PT with ringside analysis in Cardiff where nearly 80,000 fans are expected to fill the Welsh national stadium.
