I AIM TO BE BIG AS PELE

Joshua’s ambition

ANTHONY JOSHUA wants to become a global superstar like Pele.

The IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion met up with the Brazilian football legend at the GQ awards last week.

And Joshua, named Sportsman of the Year for the second time running, said: “I’m not sure if he’s a boxing fan, but he is a fan of humanity and he remembered me from the first time we met. But no, he didn’t ask for my signature!

“Everyone who I saw that met him is in awe of him and he seems to connect with people easily.

‘‘He’s a lovely guy, not so much in the sport but outside of it – I want to be like Pele.

“He’s an easy going person that connected with people from different walks of life.”

Joshua returns to the ring on October 28 against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium.

It is the London 2012 Olympic champion’s first fight since he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.

And having stopped all 19 of his opponents to date, Joshua says he will have flopped if he ever has to go the full 12-round distance.

He said: “It will be a failure. It is heavyweight boxing, you have to knock someone out.

“You can’t leave it to the judges, you have to make the decision yourself. Nobody comes to a boxing match to watch a 12-round fight, it gets boring.”

Pulev has won 25 of his 26 fights, with his only defeat coming against Klitschko when he lost inside five rounds in November 2014.

Despite that loss Joshua says he is taking nothing for granted against the Bulgarian.

“You can watch a million videos of your opponent and prepare but it is always different when you step into the ring,’’ he said.

“I always prepare for an improved fighter from what I see on video.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring.”