AJ has made the best of a bad situation as he’s been able to relax and get in top shape

RATHER than lose from lockdown, Anthony Joshua feels he has gained from his enforced lay-off.

Yes, he would be several million quid richer had he fought Kubrat Pulev in front of a sold-out crowd at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium in June.

And yes he might now be preparing for the first of his superfights against Tyson Fury instead of finally facing Pulev in front of just 1,000 people at The SSE Arena, Wembley, on December 12.

But Joshua feels what he has gained as a person far outweighs another few million on his alreadyhealthy bank balance.

Joshua’s career since he joined the GB Boxing setup in Sheffield a decade ago has felt like a blur as he raced to Olympic success, his first world title in just his 16th fight and the unified heavyweight crown.

He has felt the pressure of being British boxing’s golden boy and has enjoyed spending the last 12 months out of the spotlight, just focusing on his training.

“I’ve lived the life of an athlete for the first time,” he said. “If you think since I first got into boxing, after a year- and- a- half I was fighting at world championships, fighting Sergey Kuzmin.

“Then I turned pro and we were straight away selling out the O2 and with that there is pressure.

“Building the sport as well with my companies has meant putting myself forward.

“With them shut down during the pandemic, I have spent my time training and I was allowed to train properly.

“I have lived the last nine months as an athlete and it’s been a blessing. I have progressed a lot.”

Joshua, 31, has relished the change of pace and the opportunity to be a figure in the Black Lives Matter protest movement.

Now it is back to business on Saturday week against his mandatory challenger Pulev and he is looking forward to becoming the first fighter to headline a show in front of a paying audience since lockdown began.

For Joshua, appearing in front of just 1,000 people will be reminiscent of his days as an amateur fighting around Europe before his 2012 Olympic success.

“The last time I would have fought in front of a small crowd, I think it was Hungary,” he said.

“I fought Kuzmin, who Bakole is fighting on December 12, and someone from Uzbekistan, a big guy [Sardor Abdullaev].

“It was quite decent, you know. It’s not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm. And I think I need that sometimes because I’m under a lot of pressure.

“I’m physically good, but mentally you have to stay strong. This year’s been good to unload a lot of pressure and fighting in front of 1,000 fans isn’t so bad.

“I’m going to take it as a positive and say I’m going to go in there and perform with no pressure and showcase the styles I’ve merged together, which are sticking and moving and aggression and knockout power.

“It’s going to be intimate for the fans. You won’t have to worry about your missus having a pint of beer chucked on her head or 15 guys by the side of you getting into a fight. It’s going to be nice for everyone.”

Book and watch Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev on December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office.