Joshua vs Klitschko: Heavyweights must 'land a few, give a few', says Anthony Joshua
Wednesday 28 December 2016 14:57, UK
Anthony Joshua has revealed he preferred watching risk-taking knockout artists rather than technicians like Wladimir Klitschko during his rise.
The unbeaten IBF champion always aimed to replicate the methods of knockout artists from bygone eras rather than copy the cagey Klitschko, who he will next fight on Sky Sports Box Office on April 29.
Asked if Klitschko's safety-first style was exciting, Joshua said: "I respect it, but it's not, no.
[Klitschko's] style has worked for him so you can't knock it. But you've got to land a few, give a few, work on the inside.
"His style has worked for him so you can't knock it. But you've got to land a few, give a few, work on the inside. The first rounds are always cagey but, by the fourth round, the fight has to get exciting.
"That Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield style scrap? That Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora style scrap? You never know, but I don't see him fighting like that.
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"Klitschko is very dominant at putting people on their back foot, on the edge of the ring. Even with Tyson Fury, a bigger and taller man, he had him moving.
"So sometimes you have to let him know that your presence is in the ring also. You could come out feinting, pushing him back. In the clinches, lean on him. Or you could come out dancing like Fury did, or come out slipping shots.
"It will be interesting to see which style I bring to the table against Klitschko. I like to adapt to the fighter. Maybe I'll counter him, maybe I'll move on the back foot.
"I haven't got a game plan. That's why I like shots thrown at me, because I figure them out. I'll hopefully figure out Klitschko as the rounds go on."
Joshua has stopped all 19 professional opponents while Klitschko, the former unified world champion, has 53 knockout wins on his record from 64 fights.
Anthony Joshua fights Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
