The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Time is now’ for Joshua
Heavyweight relaxed ahead of IBF world title defence against Molina
Anthony Joshua was in relaxed mood as he faced the media for the final time ahead of his IBF heavyweight title defence against Eric Molina tomorrow night in Manchester.
“I could sit here and say I will knock Eric out in a round, but that’s not my style. It is two warriors coming together, and the better man will walk away with his hands in the air,” he said.
Molina’s main qualification for coming into contact with the surging Joshua is a commendable effort he put up against current WBC champion Deontay Wilder last June, when he lasted until the ninth round.
But the 34-year-old Texan is clearly seen as a stepping-stone to a major showdown against Wladimir Klitschko next year, and Joshua believes another quick win will herald the start of the prime period of his career.
Joshua said: “People were asking me 18 months ago when I was going to be fighting the big names, and I said, give me 18 months, and that time is now.
“We are starting to move forward and I’m getting more experienced.
“I’m injury-free and physically in the best shape I could be, and now it’s just about getting the mind right.”
Joshua will be helped in that regard by his reunion with former amateur mentor Rob McCracken, who will undertake his first bout as the Watford fighter’s full-time trainer, reforging a link from their days together on the GB Boxing squad.
“It’s important to have experience in my corner,” added Joshua of the former world middleweight title contender.
“Rob’s been a fighter himself so when he’s telling me to throw a combination or do an extra round, I respect his opinion because he’s lived it.”
Meanwhile, Molina said: “The experience of sharing the ring with Wilder, who is in my opinion the best heavyweight in the world right now, has prepared me and I am 100% ready for this.
“I want to test this man, I want to take him to the limit and see what he’s about.
“It doesn’t really matter about the odds or what the critics say.
“They gave me two rounds in the Wilder fight, so let them keep on talking,” he added.