Anthony Joshua reaping benefits of sparring with GB squad ahead of world title defence against Dominic Breazeale
Heavyweight champ is ready for anything American bruiser Dominic Breazeale throws at him on Saturday — thanks to Frazer Clarke and Joe Joyce trying to knock his block off
ANTHONY JOSHUA is ready for anything Dominic Breazeale throws at him — thanks to Joe Joyce and Frazer Clarke trying to knock his block off.
Joshua, 26, has been preparing with the GB Boxing squad in Sheffield for his first defence of the IBF world heavyweight title on Saturday night at London's O2 Arena.
Sparring with highly-rated amateurs Joyce and Clarke has kept him on his toes, while the familiar surroundings of the gym he trained in for Olympic glory have helped ensure he is his usual relaxed self.
The London 2012 gold medallist, who won the IBF belt from Charles Martin in April, said: "Sheffield is my second home.
"I’ve been coming up here since 2010, 2011, which people don’t realise. I wouldn’t change it because of the routine and being around hungry fighters.
"After sparring with pros for the Martin fight, going back to spar with amateurs was difficult for the first couple of weeks.
"For five rounds, when I’m sparring two or three people, it was really hard to adapt. That’s why I don’t take it for granted because they’re basically like top-end professionals.
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"When I won the belt, I’d go in there and it was like ‘well done’ and then we’d do six rounds, ten rounds. It’s back to the graft.
"They stick you straight back in the deep end. You just fit in because everyone is training like a champion. It’s an honour for me to go there."
Joyce, 30, will bid to follow in AJ's footsteps by winning super-heavyweight gold at the Rio Olympics before turning pro, while 24-year-old Clarke has also been tipped to shine should he join the paid ranks.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said: "The sparring Josh has had in Sheffield with Joe and Frazer is fantastic to watch. We’re benefitting and it’s also great for them.
"It’s a great partnership and situation because he’s getting great sparring and two guys I feel would probably win British titles now are sparring with a world heavyweight champion.
"They’re lucky to have him back and we’re lucky to have the opportunity to be here.
"That doesn’t just go for him, either, but for Conor Benn, Ohara Davies and Ted Cheeseman. It’s great for all those kids.
"We go up there and the GB boys are saying 'great, we’ve got some pros coming to bash up’.
"Kevin Mitchell said it felt like he had whiplash when he was up here. They come in and it’s like 'bop, bop, bop, bop'."
Californian Breazeale, 30, is undefeated in 17 fights but is not expected to trouble Joshua at his O2 fortress.