Level of support has surprised me – Joshua

WORLD heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua admitted that he’s been surprised by the support he’s received in the buildup to tonight’s Cardiff bout against Carlos Takam.

Joshua has been in South Wales since Tuesday and several hundred turned out on Wednesday night to watch the public workout at a transformed St David’s Hall in the capital’s city centre.

At yesterday’s weigh-in, 5,000 fans streamed into the Motorpoint Arena to catch one final glimpse of the fighters as they stepped onto the scales.

“I didn’t expect a turnout like this,” admitted Joshua, who is ecpected in the ring at around 10.30pm. “So I definitely appreciate everyone turning out.

“I’m always nervous but nerves are good things though. Pressure doesn’t bust pipes.

“I’ve got to keep a cool head on my shoulders.”

Joshua yesterday tipped the scales at his heaviest-ever fighting weight.

Ahead of the stunning win over Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua weighed in at 17st 12lbs.

This time, the defending champion actually came in heavier again, breaking the 18st mark for the first time in his career to chalk up a weight of 18st 2lbs, more than a stone heavier than Takam.

But despite the added weight, the Watford walloper insists he feels fitter than ever.

“I was reading everywhere that I was going to come in a stone lighter,” he laughed. “I’ve been doing a lot more running, maybe I’m starting to fill out as I get older and I’m starting to find my natural weight.

“I definitely feel a lot fitter than I have in previous fights.”

It’s a tricky situation for Joshua. After the Klitschko mega-fight, most bouts would be a come down from that but with the late Kubrat Pulev withdrawal – Takam takes the fight on 12 days notice – questions have been asked about the defending champion’s state of mind.

But he said all the right things after the weigh-in and insists he’s aware of the potential danger he faces.

“Takam has a mindset of nothing to lose,” he said. “That’s a dangerous mindset to have, but I have to deal with these styles. I have to break him down, I’m hungry still, forever.”

Away from the main event, there was controversy.

Irish star Katie Taylor’s opponent Anahi Sanchez missed the 9st 9lbs weight limit for their WBA World Lightweight title fight, meaning the Argentine vacates the belt.

The bout will still go ahead, but Taylor is the only person who can walk away with the strap in what is her first world title shot just 11 months after turning professional.

Local boy Joe Cordina looked in good shape as he took to the scales ahead of his bout with Lesther Cantillano.

He’s thought to be taking to the ring at around 8pm, by which time it is hoped tens of thousands will have taken their seats ready for the Welsh Wizard to put on another show and extend his professional record to 5-0. Tonight’s undercard (6pm start): Dave Allen v Scott Saward, Lawrence Okolie v Adam Williams, Joshua Buatsi v Saidou Sall, Joe Cordina v Lesther Cantillano, Frank Buglioni v Craig Richards, Anahi Sanchez v Katie Taylor, Kal Yafai v Sho Ishida, Dillian Whyte v Robert Heleniu.