Anthony Joshua has hit back at Kevin Johnson as the pair edge closer to their heavyweight showdown at the O2 in London on Saturday night.
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‘Kingpin’ labelled his British rival a “media hype job” this week as he continues to talk the talk and promise that he will shock the O2 as he inflicts a first loss on Joshua.
The Olympic gold medallist has won all 12 of his professional fights by way of knockout, and he has accepted Johnson’s criticism and thanked all involved in his career thus far for helping him become a ‘hype job’.
“I have to take my hat off to Matchroom Sports and Sky Sports because they’re doing a great job for me by presenting me to the public. Only a few years ago, nobody really knew who I was,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“To be called a hype job, I’m really happy my hype train is on the road. We’re at a pit stop on Saturday night with the Johnson fight and once I get that victory we’ll be back on the road again! I have to take my hat off to you guys and I really appreciate it.”
Johnson is expected to be the 25-year-old’s toughest test of his career to date and brings plenty of experience to the fight after going the distance with Vitali Klitschko and taking on various British stars in the past.
While Joshua has received some criticism for the level of his opposition he has faced so far, promoter Eddie Hearn is expected to pick up the pace of the next 12 months but that’s provided that his fighter can come through on Saturday night unscathed.
Joshua insisted that he will be fine with all the trash talking that Johnson will undoubtedly engage in this week, and he has suggested that he will be looking for the knockout to become the first man to stop the ‘Kingpin’ by breaking him down over the 10 rounds if necessary.
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