AJ feels mountain pressure with Bear
WE are used to seeing boxer Anthony “AJ” Joshua looking brave in the ring and he is expected to deliver another knockout performance when he fights in Cardiff on Saturday.
But before that match you can see the heavyweight champion screaming with fear on ITV on a two-day trip with Bear Grylls.
In it he takes on one of the UK’s toughest climbing faces, Commando Ridge in Cornwall, where the Royal Marines train.
“I’m the king of my domain but I’m out of my comfort zone,” says AJ, 28. “I hate bugs, I don’t like heights really. I’m used to being in the comfort of my living room, but I think let’s go for it. What’s the worst that can happen?” Sadly for him, quite a lot. First there is the food. He eats bone marrow from a sheep’s leg that has been left to rot for a few days and samples maggots as a source of protein during the hike. “Bear’s cooking compared to my mum’s cooking is minimal, to the point, get what you need, this is survival. My mum, she’ll make it perfect.”
Bear says of the marrow: “Fried up, it’ll be like nature’s sausage.” AJ tucks in, saying: “It tastes like lamb. If it was on the menu I might be inclined to order it because I know the benefits but it’s definitely not my first, second or third choice!” Bear also makes him face his fear of heights and says “you can see the fear in his eyes” as AJ tries to tackle a 100ft rope crossing that is 200ft above the sea.
AJ says: “Oh my God. I don’t know if I am going to do it. Mum, I love you. All my supporters, if I don’t make it, continue to support British boxing.”
During the trip, AJ spoke about his 19-month-old son, saying: “Me and my mum got closer when my son was going to be born. I haven’t got the motherly instinct, I’m a working man, I’m busy, I’m focussed. I’m very regimented and I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s all going to change.’ But it’s been a blessing.
“Before it was all about me, but when I had my son, I started realising there is someone who is going to be here after I’m gone and that’s what he taught me, build something they will respect and appreciate when I’m not here any more.”
Bear’s Mission with Anthony Joshua airs tomorrow at 9pm on ITV.