Joshua has new focus as Povetkin bout looms

Anthony Joshua has developed a new mindset since his last fight in March.

The IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion won the third of those titles when defeating Joseph Parker and will next fight Russia’s Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium on 22 September.

Attempts to secure WBC champion Deontay Wilder as his opponent, before the confirmation of Povetkin, ended in frustration and are expected to be revived for Joshua’s next date at Wembley on 13 April, but the champion has learnt not to look too far ahead.

Parker became the first fighter to take him the distance when, with the spectre of Wilder looming large, Joshua’s performance was more subdued. His 2016 victory over Eric Molina similarly came with his next opponent Wladimir Klitschko sat ringside, and he said: “I used to concentrate on the opponent and always worried about what was next.

“I thought ‘I don’t want to make any mistakes’. I used to box within myself, stopped expressing myself and fulfilling my potential to become a great world champion. Not anymore. It’s not ‘him, him, him’ for me any more. I have to look at the end goal.

“I feel like I am back in a tournament like it was in the amateurs or the Olympics. I have to get past people like Povetkin to fulfil my legacy.

“I’ve been fighting ten years now and I’ve always done it for fun. Now I’m dead serious about this business and this is chapter two for me and Povetkin is first on my list. It is not just about Povetkin and Wilder, it’s me and my legacy and what I can reach.

“This chapter, I understand what I am involved in. I spend a lot of time studying and looking in the mirror at myself. I’m not interested in the praise or criticism.”

Povetkin, who at 38 is 10 years older than Joshua, fought for the same three titles when suffering his only defeat, by Klitschko, on the same night in 2013 that Joshua made his professional debut and stopped Emanuele Leo.