Anthony Joshua: I can’t afford to lose

Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua worked out for the media on Tuesday in Sheffield, England, as the undefeated British sensation continues preparation for his showdown against IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam on Saturday, Oct. 28 live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
“This is a must-win for myself and for Carlos Takam,” Joshua told Sky Sports. “As much as my supporters want to see me win, there are still a few people who doubt me and want me to lose and disrupt our plan. They don’t want to see the cream rise to the top.”

Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) is not taking Takam (35-3-1, 27 KOs) lightly, and said he feels added pressure taking on a new opponent on short notice as Takam replaces the injured Kubrat Pulev.
“Twenty wins, 20 knockouts ain’t bad, but boxing’s unforgiving. So don’t ask me what you do for your 21st fight,” Joshua said. “I can’t afford to lose, and I don’t want to lose.
“Boxing is a sport that’s unforgiving in a sense that if Takam beats me, that loss will stay on my record for a lifetime. That will always be my legacy. It will not be, ‘Oh, he was a world champion, and he did well for the sport of boxing.’ No, no, no, no no. It would be, ‘He’s 19-1.’ That’s the new legacy and I just don’t want that blemish on my record right now.
“I’ve known about Carlos Takam for a long time and he’s a very, very well-rounded fighter. He’s been moving his way up the IBF rankings, so I’ve always had my eye on him anyway.
“I think Eddie did a great job to have someone in place in case these mishaps happen. And when I heard the news I was fighting Takam, of all people, he’s a very strong, game fighter. This is his chance to kind of shock the world.
“Takam is already as tough as they come. He’s so tough. He just keeps on walking forward, and that’s disheartening for a fighter.
“When I’m in there with him, it will be interesting to see how game and ready he is, and what fire he is ready to go through.”

So he's a big lad, too big but 5-0 and some notable names on his ledger already.
Butterbollox - although shit and a fraud, good name to have on your record for the non boxing nz public.
Hasley Hepi - an unknown novice but unbeaten and a victory across the pond.
King Afa - sadly passed his best, but ex NZ heavyweight champion.
So what do you all think of big Conrad? Does he have a future????
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wijo5VfORBQ

SKY POP UP--Free on SKY #56  Sunday at 3PM NZ time.

Just saw this on the scene, joe could be having to go and face PEDvetkin in russia in the new year.

Sunday morning NZ time (tomorrow) at 7AM.  Burns vs Crolla.  Sky Pop Up Channel 56

Does any version of Tua lose to current day JP?
Would David blow through him like he did Shane? I dont see Parker having enough power to KO even the Tua Ustinov came up against
How would Joes chin hold up against prime Tua? His lack of footwork and head movement would be tailor made for David
And while Im at it does any version of Shane beat JP? remember that right hand he landed on Barrett? could he have put Joe to slepp with that shot?

at only 33, very underated fighter.

What's going on? This really shouldn't be allowed.
Nik the Greek in his last fight fought(and stopped in one round) a debutant, in his next fight on Saturday he's fighting another guy on debut. The week after both Cairo George (13-1) and Not Beauchamp (14-1) are fighting debutants and then next month Gunnar Jackson (25-10-3) is fighting a guy on debut, Somebodies gonna get hurt soon.

Haye is 6'3"



Hughie Fury 6'6"



I think haye probably had a bit of a footwear advantage in that pic but what height we got for Joe these days?

Yep, Sky is showing the Horn/Pacman fight on SKY, starting at 1 PM tomorrow.  Unfortunately, it's on PPV and costs $40 in NZ, $60 in OZ, and is free in the US.