Anthony Joshua admits it was an “honour” to have Floyd Mayweather Jr oversee his victory over Kubrat Pulev in December.
Former pound-for-pound star, Mayweather Jr was in attendance, alongside 1000 fans to at the SSE Arena on December 12, to watch Joshua stop IBF mandatory challenger, Pulev in the ninth round to retain his WBA ‘Super’, IBF and WBO Heavyweight titles.
Joshua, the first fighter to headline in front of a crowd in the UK since March, left the ring and embraced with the American after his victory and invited the former undefeated, five-weight world champion into his dressing room post-fight.
The 31-year-old, who knocked the Bulgarian down four times in a brutal display admits it was privilege to have Mayweather Jr in the venue.
“It was the first time we were allowed fans back in stadiums and Mayweather was in the stadium,” Joshua said in a documentary on his YouTube channel.
“It’s an honour to have him in the house, I respect him highly for what he’s achieved.
“He came to see me perform and I pulled out one of his favourite moves which is the pull counter.
“If you watch boxing, you’ll know that’s one of Mayweather’s signature moves.
“Having him in the house was an honour and I felt I had to give him a little something to remember.”
🤝 @floydmayweather pic.twitter.com/ItDSf0sXOL
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) January 31, 2021
‘AJ’ is closing in on an undisputed Heavyweight title showdown with WBC champion, Tyson Fury with WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk in talks to face Joe Joyce, reportedly for the WBO interim title.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has sent a contract to Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum, whilst a number of territories have offered to stage the showdown and the two-time Heavyweight titlist insists he has a warrior’s mentality when he enters the ring.
“Some people may not understand it and I realise in this life is that, 99 per cent of the population are civilised people,” Joshua added.
“The job I’ve chosen is for the uncivilised. This is a sport of combat and war.
“We’re not civilised people, we’re warriors, and I love it.
“No matter what the tactics are, no matter how much you study, no matter how much you think you can beat me, I’m just there to win.
“I’m there to do a job, and that’s the fighter’s mentality.”
