Anthony Joshua grinned through the pats on the back Wladimir Klitschko gave him during the promotion for their Saturday fight, but the youngster also has shown a keen understanding of the gamesmanship behind the veteran?s treatment.
?It?s just how you interpret it. I take it for what it is, don?t let it get to me, and move on,? Joshua (18-0, 18 knockouts) said in some of his final comments before he defends his International Boxing Federation heavyweight title in front of an expected crowd of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium.
Klitschko, 41, launched a few more mental missiles at his 27-year-old opponent in the late going this week, announcing he?s recorded a breakdown message of how he?ll beat Joshua on a USB memory stick that he?ll auction off along with his robe to the highest bidder for his charitable foundation.
He also opined that Joshua, who weighed in Friday at 250 pounds to Klitschko?s 240, looks ?bigger than I?ve ever seen him.?
Maybe Klitschko?s trying to fluster or anger Joshua?
?Yeah, ?cause when I?m angry, I don?t fight well,? Joshua said.
Yet, in a possible precursor of the fight action, Joshua didn?t flinch at the USB publicity ploy, labeling it a failed attempt.
?It took me back to the time I fought Kevin Johnson. He was saying he?d written a book about how he would tell the world how to beat me, that he had the antidote,? Joshua said.
?[Back then], I was thinking, ?Has he actually written a book?? So when [Klitschko] said it, I thought, ?Aw, luckily, I?ve heard this before.? It?s strategy, isn?t it? But I?m just focusing on the fight. I?m not downloading no USB. I didn?t really take it the way he was hoping.?
So as Klitschko relies on the confidence of experience after 29 title fights against the 2012 Olympic champion, Joshua is resolute in keeping it simple and believes his greater power, quicker reflexes and improved boxing will win him the fight.
He understands boxing history and is aware that this is how it often goes among the heavyweights in torch-passing bouts.
