…As he tackles Klitschko at Wembley April 29 for WBA title bout
Nigerian-born British pugilist, Anthony Joshua, has warned his critics not to exhume his past to torment him as he prepares to face Wladimir in the vacant World Boxing Association heavyweight title bout this weekend at Wembley.
Joshua has promised not to succumb to any threat, as he has completely thrown in the towel on his baby mama, Nicole Osbourne.
The new IBF world heavyweight champion, who was recently revealed to be having a secret love child, has admitted that he is no longer in a relationship with the mother of his baby son. Nicole, who features in YouTube poledancing videos, gave birth to Anthony’s baby Joseph, right with Nicole, some months ago.
But despite that, boxing buffs said Joshua and Klitschko are dragging boxing out of the gutter to restore some dignity to the noble art. The heavyweight rivals have refused to indulge in trash-talking in the build-up to Saturday’s world title fight at Wembley Stadium. Both boxers have refrained from abuse ahead of their showdown.
Their respectful approach is in sharp contrast to the exchange of insults between David Haye and Tony Bellew before their grudge match. Nor has there been any repeat of the crazy stunts which Tyson Fury relied on to sour Klitschko’s last big fight almost 18 months ago.
Klitschko said: “The way this fight is being promoted is a great message for the sport.
“When you compare it to many other big fights, it has never been done this way before.
“We have filled a 90,000 stadium and I am told we could have sold it three times over, without really having to say too much.
Anthony Joshua hopes to prove on the biggest stage that he is the best heavyweight in the world “We didn’t use the ‘F’ word.
We have not been throwing tables and getting glasses down on the head. There have been no offensive T-shirts.
“That absolutely doesn’t do any good for the image of the sport. “We live in a crazy world so there has to be respect in such a violent sport as boxing. That is what AJ and myself have showed each other. “The attitude and respect we have shown to each other is being passed down to all the other young men down there in the gyms.”
Klitschko believes he is still in peak fighting fitness at the age of 41 Anthony Joshua has looked relaxed as he prepares to face Wladimir Klitschko Anthony Joshua in epic Lucozade advert showcasing his path to success Klitschko, 41, is still appalled by the memory of Fury’s antics before the British bruiser’s shock win in Dusseldorf.
He added: “Fury’s behaviour before that fight was embarrassing. A lot of the messages he gave out were wrong for society, sport and for the kids.
“You are on a high stage when you are fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world. A lot of people are listening to you and things they heard were not good.
Apparently, Joshua and Klitschko will share the £30 million slice with 55% going to Joshua and Klitschko taking home the rest 45%. This will be the biggest purse in Joshua’s career so far who previous best was around £3 million from Dillian Whyte fight.
Joshua may get £15 million from this fight as long as PPV numbers go as expected. He will add another £1m to £2m from sponsorship deals.
Klitschko will also expected to clear around £15 million from this fight. He also have multi-fight contract with German and Russian broadcasters and his own sponsorship deals.
