Unified World Heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko has vocalised his considerable praise for burgeoning British sensation Anthony Joshua.
Klitschko, who will make the next defence of his titles against Manchester’s Tyson Fury in Germany on 24 October, believes that Joshua possesses the most potential of any boxer he has seen – quite a compliment.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Klitschko said: “I’ve faced a lot of athletes and opponents and in the last 25 years there is one person who has the potential to become a really big star in boxing… Anthony Joshua has qualities that not many guys have had.
Either they had good skills but not the strength, or they had strength but not the skills. Or they were good inside the ring but not outside because their life outside messed them up and that reflected on their sporting career.”
Joshua embarks on the next chapter of a thus far perfect professional career next Saturday night when he takes on undefeated Scot Gary Cornish for the Commonwealth championship in what may present his toughest test to date for his first title belt in the paid ranks.
Gary Cornish is a big guy, he weighs about 18 stone and he has never been defeated, even as an amateur. He doesn’t know losing; he has the winning mentality, especially where there is a Commonwealth strap on the line as well.
He is going to come with pride and will want to take that belt back to Scotland, so it is going to be really competitive” exclaimed Joshua, speaking with Sky Sports.