Anthony Joshua vows complacency will not be his downfall
Wednesday 4 May 2016 21:19, UK
Anthony Joshua is not expecting an easy first defence of his IBF heavyweight crown when he faces Dominic Breazeale next month at The O2.
Joshua blew Charles Martin away in two rounds last month and will return to the same venue when he puts his title on the line against the American challenger, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
"I know we've heard it time and time again but I see something in him; that he believes in himself, he wants to win and he wants to beat me," Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ.
"But we'll see on June 25th, it's a different story when you get in the ring, but he's definitely not a brick in the wall and I'd never look at any of my opponents like that because that would be my downfall."
Joshua heads into the fight with an unblemished record of 16 wins by knockout but the Olympic champion will prepare for the fight as if he is the challenger.
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"This bad boy," added Joshua, while tapping his IBF heavyweight belt during Wednesday's press conference.
"I respect the governing body and so on but I would rather not have this up here.
"Because I'm the underdog, I've got to keep that mentality, trust me I'm far from dropping the ball ever.
"You are only good when you're winning and boxing is a real tough sport and every fight can be your last.
"Me and Dominic are very equal, 17 fights, 16 fights, turned professional around the same time and we've been in the game around the same time so it is a very equal fight.
"I'll be ready," added Joshua. "I take training camp very seriously, I know every day, every hour what I've got to do. Seven weeks and I'll be ready."
Breazeale has secured 15 of his 17 victories by knockout and has vowed not to make the same mistakes as fellow American Martin.
"Charles Martin came over here and dropped the ball," said Breazeale. "He wasn't prepared for it. A guy like Anthony Joshua or a guy like myself, we're big stature guys - we punch with a lot of power and you've got to prepare for that.
"I'm not coming here to fail to hear the final bell, I'm not coming here to wait for the judges to give the scoring, I'm coming here with guns blazing and I'm coming to knock Anthony Joshua out.
"I'm hoping Anthony Joshua is preparing to be in a war and in a dog fight because that's what I'm going to bring.
"Two Olympians; we both got to be the best in our country for a reason and June 25th is going to be one of those fights that nor I or Anthony Joshua is ever going to forget."
