JOSHUA ON SATURDAY FIGHT FEVER
ANTHONY Joshua expects the Principality Stadium to create an atmosphere like nothing he’s ever experienced when the heavyweight world champion defends his titles against Carlos Takam.
Upwards of 78,000 are expected to pack out the Cardiff arena tomorrow and the defending champion believes they’ll create an incredible atmosphere as the energy bounces around the cauldron.
“I think that’s why everyone’s here because they want to see fights like that again,” said Joshua referring to his sensational victory over Wladimir Klitschko earlier this year.
“We’re going to have a war, we’re going to wear our hearts on our sleeve, this is what fighting’s about,” he said about Takam, who has stepped in for the injured Kubrat Pulev on short notice.
“With me it isn’t about all this other stuff that goes on outside the ring, I think when people come to watch me box they know that they’re going to have a good time, they know they’re going to see knockouts, they’re going to see a bit of blood.
“We have to deliver. They know what they want, I know what they want and it’s my duty to deliver.
He added: “I’ve never been nervous about fighting but I think this stadium’s going to be different.
“There’s a closed roof, I know that the energy, the atmosphere’s going to be bouncing up and down off the roof and it’s going to be nothing like before.
“I could talk about a million things I’ve been working on – where I’m at mentally – but it has to show Saturday night, that’s what’s important.”
Joshua’s trainer Rob McCracken, a former world title challenger himself, believes the Takam fight will be more entertaining than the Pulev bout would have been.
He envisaged a cagey, tactical affair with the Bulgarian, but believes his replacement – who has been training for weeks whilst on standby for the fight – will make for a much more entertaining occasion to enjoy.
“When I spoke to Eddie (Hearn), it wasn’t ideal because we’d trained for the best part of three months for Kubrat Pulev.
“But I think, without a doubt, he (Takam) is a dangerous opponent. He’s very difficult to beat.
“The main thing is that the fans will be the winners because Pulev is very experienced, very cagey and I think that until Anthony would have caught him, it would have been a cagey fight.
“It’s a different fight with Carlos Takam, he’s coming in to give it 100 per cent, he’s going to believe in himself and he’s going to go for it.
“The fans will be the real winners on Saturday, I think you’ll see a spectacular fight and I think you’ll see a great performance from AJ.”
The challenger himself believes he’s ready to take his shot, insisting: “When I heard about the fight I was already in preparation for another fight.
“The occasion is here and were going to do it. I invite you to see how I will make the fight. I’m coming out to win.”