Joshua vs Takam: The Panel look back on late call-ups
Tuesday 24 October 2017 17:52, UK
With Carlos Takam stepping in to face Anthony Joshua as a late notice mandatory, we asked our panel if they have ever been involved in a late change of opponent...
Carl Froch
Back in 2008 in a world title eliminator, I was supposed to fight Denis Inkin but he pulled out with some injury and Albert Rybacki stepped in at five days' notice. I got him out of there in four rounds, so it wasn't a problem for me.
He was decent but hadn't boxed anyone at top level. I was just focused, I'd trained brilliantly and I was never going to lose. Because I didn't know who he was, I was never going to take my foot off the gas, I've done that against people like Dale Westerman because, with all due respect, I knew he wasn't very good, shall we say.
Jamie Moore
I took a fight at five days' notice for the Lonsdale belt and won. I did do it at British level, but it shows it can be done, Anthony Crolla had similar success.
I came in against Michael Jones, he was originally boxing a 6ft orthodox fighter and I was a 5ft 9in, short, come-forward, stocky fighter, it couldn't have been any more different. I was in good shape, confident, there was no pressure on me. Jones was 1/25 on to win, no one even expected me to do well, let alone beat him.
Paulie Malignaggi
I've never had a situation when I've had someone pull out like Pulev did. I've had plenty of times when opponents didn't make weight and there was a threat that the fight would be off.
I've never been in Joshua's position but I have had to pull out late on myself. I was supposed to be fighting Dan O'Connor a couple of years ago, but I got a cut in the gym and had to pull out. Thankfully, I haven't really been in a situation like this but 'AJ' has now learnt, it is a part of the game.
Tony Bellew
I think I'm probably one of the most famous call-ups we've had, when I tried to face that Welsh bloke for the first time, back in May 2011. I made a bit of a storm at the press conference on the Wednesday and my career kind of took off from there.
It was a much later call-up than Takam and at least we're talking heavyweights here. I got a few days' notice, lost 16lbs in 16 hours but still had to shift another five before it could be confirmed. I spent 90 minutes in a sauna and lost all of half-a-pound, so 24 hours before the way in, it was off. Still the rest, as they say, is history!
Johnny Nelson
I was a late call-up myself when, after I was out in France sparring the former Euro champion Patrice Aouissi who was about to face Terry Dunstan for the title, I got the call to take the fight at five days' notice when Dunstan pulled out.
I had been Aouissi's sparring partner and my job was to mimic Dunstan. They called me in because they knew I was gym fit and thought I would be a soft touch - It's the worst thing you can do. Sparring and fighting are two totally different things and I stopped him. The hardest thing for a champion is adjusting to a new opponent late on.
Watch AJ v Takam: Welsh Dragons on Tuesday, 10pm, Sky Sports Main Event & Action.
