Sport

Anthony Joshua fires warning to Kubrat Pulev ahead of their heavyweight world title clash as he insists he has a ‘warrior’s mindset’ and that there’s ‘NO chinks in my armour anymore’ – after Bulgarian had vowed to ‘expose AJ for a second time’

Anthony Joshua warned Kubrat Pulev ‘there aren’t any chinks’ in his armour and that his ‘warrior’s mindset’ will see him prevail ahead of their heavyweight world title clash.

Joshua will step back through the ropes for the first time in a year when he puts his WBA, WBO and IBF belts on the line against Pulev on Saturday night.

The Bulgarian, whose only previous world title tilt ended in a knockout defeat against Wladimir Klitschko, has repeatedly insisted he has the superior mental strength and vowed to ‘expose’ AJ like Andy Ruiz Jr did in their first fight.

Anthony Joshua has insisted Kubrat Pulev won’t be able to find any chinks in his armour

Joshua looked in supreme fighting condition at Wednesday night’s workout session

But Joshua is adamant that he has evolved as a fighter and eradicated any past mistakes, having jabbed and moved his way to redemption in his rematch against Ruiz in Saudi Arabia last year.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s world title defence, Joshua said: ‘Sometimes when things are going well you keep working on your strengths.

‘After my loss in New York? What people call weaknesses, I call strengths that I haven’t identified yet.

‘I saw the strengths I hadn’t identified – what [other people] call weaknesses. I enhanced them, improved them.

‘Now there aren’t any chinks in my armour. I’ve worked a lot on honing my craft.

‘This will be a tough fight but I need to retain my belts. I have a warrior mindset.

‘In my mind, nothing else is important apart from Pulev. That is my focus.’

Pulev has insisted throughout the build-up that he will expose Joshua’s mental weakness

The Bulgarian is confident he can emulate what Andy Ruiz Jr did to Joshua in their first fight

But AJ warned Pulev that he has got a ‘warrior’s mindset’ ahead of Saturday’s world title clash

A fight against Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight crown next year looms if Joshua can get past the challenge of Pulev.

Both Joshua and Pulev looked in supreme fighting condition at Wednesday evening’s workouts – and the Bulgarian challenger is convinced it will be his night on Saturday.

He added: ‘Saturday is the most important day of my life. I trained since I was 12, I became a champion in Bulgaria when I was 14.

‘This is my dream, this was the dream of my father.

‘Knockout? I just need this win. I want to do it for my father, for my country, for Bulgarian sport. Not just for me.

‘I am ready. I know this is my time. I wanted this fight, I waited a long time for it.’

Related Posts

Angel Reese’s remarks about Caitlin Clark’s possible new teammate in the WNBA draft carry significant weight.

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has been a long-time advocate of potential WNBA Draft pick Aneesah Morrow – who could soon be team-mates with Caitlin Clark WNBA star Angel…

Venus Williams channels her inner superheroine at the Miami Open with glittering Wonder Woman face mask

She is a tennis superstar.   But Venus Williams channeled an actual super hero as she faced off against Zarina Diyas in the Miami Open on Tuesday.   Venus, 40,…

Fans are amazed by the height of Russell Wilson and Ciara’s youngest son.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara’s littlest boy is not so little anymore. The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their first loss with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback against the Cleveland Browns in…

La verdad sobre la tira nasal que utilizó Carlos Alcaraz en las ATP Finals

El español presentó un resfriado que lo dejó casi en duda para el duelo con Rublev, pero jugó con una tira nasal. La explicación de los expertos.  …

“God blessed me with Oracene to bring Venus Williams down, she saved tennis” – When American’s father Richard felt tennis was stuck in the ‘Dark Ages’

Richard Williams once expressed his admiration for his daughter Venus Williams, calling her a “blessing” to him and his ex-wife, Oracene Price. He credited Venus with “saving tennis,”…

Ciara expresses a sincere message for Russell Wilson following the Steelers quarterback’s first defeat against the Cleveland Browns.

Russell Wilson was disheartened by the Steelers‘ loss to the Cleveland Browns! But, nonetheless, the star QB is winning at life. And, his source of strength amidst the ups and downs…