Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) believes that Ukrainian veteran Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs), whom he fought in the spring of 2017 and defeated him ahead of schedule, is the strongest opponent in his career, despite losing last fall to Oleksandr Usyk.
According to Anthony, the fight with Klitschko happened “too early” in his career, and this made that epic battle his toughest test to date.
“The toughest opponent I have ever faced was by far Wladimir Klitschko,” Joshua said on
Oxford Union. — A young lion against an old lion. When I fought him, I thought that I went against the aksakal too early, but this was his last fight. Therefore, if I had not fought him, it would have been too late. Sometimes, due to lack of experience, we complicate things. He had more knockouts than me combined fights and knockouts in the track record! He was experienced and very strong. It was a really tough fight.”
The king is gone. Long live the king! – our report on that fight
Joshua stated that before that he knocked out opponents in six or seven rounds.
“Vladimir took me to the 11th, where I had never been before. But he was definitely my strongest opponent,” Anthony repeated.
Recall also that Joshua lost early to Andy Ruiz in 2019, but later avenged that defeat by beating the Mexican on points.
Wladimir recently stated that he wanted to offer Tyson Fury a “last dance”. The younger of the brothers has previously hinted at a comeback and a rematch with the British.
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