As the world’s predominant heavyweight in the estimation of three of the four main alpha-belt championship bodies Anthony Joshua could be excused at least a hint of irritation as he keeps being compared unfavourably with his next challenger in terms of ring-craft. Far from it.
Instead of bridling at a perceived insult, Joshua has been using next Saturday night’s engagement with Oleksandr Usyk as the driving force for honing his own skills.
Instead of assuming that he can rely on his massive physique and mighty punching to overwhelm the smaller Ukrainian technician in front of a sell-out crowd in the first fight at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Joshua has been applying boxing’s Sweet Science to his physical strength.