ANTHONY JOSHUA says it is ‘crazy’ he is fighting Kubrat Pulev — as six years ago he was pretending to be him!
AJ was drafted in by Wladimir Klitschko to mimic the Bulgarian in training ahead of their heavyweight title clash.
Joshua’s sparring helped Wlad get a KO win before the Watford fighter battered the Ukrainian three years later.
Tomorrow Pulev is back on the scene against the Brit at Wembley Arena.
WBA, IBF and WBO champ AJ, 31, said: “It’s crazy how the universe works. I’ve actually implemented some of the stuff Wladimir did in my training for this camp.”
AJ also says he has boxing’s version of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson in his corner.
Team GB master Rob McCracken helped AJ to an Olympic gold in 2012 and three of four heavyweight world titles.
After the June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, some told AJ to ditch his mentor, with even Lennox Lewis calling for him to upgrade.
But just like Fergie who guided United to 13 Prem titles, Joshua, 31, has one of the most respected men in British sport in his dugout when he fights Kubrat Pulev tomorrow.
He said: “Rob is the gaffer, I look at him like an Alex Ferguson, he is a great manager and trainer, so it was just about variety and being able to bring in different levels of greatness.”
Turning his attention to the Bulgarian, 39, Joshua said: “Pulev has very good balance and that is key.
“You can build skyscrapers on good foundations and nothing on rocky foundations. He is very well schooled.”
Joshua added trainer Joby Clayton to his team after the Ruiz defeat. And he is learning plenty from the free-thinker who likes to run barefoot around the local streets.
He said: “Joby is a martial artist so this isn’t just about boxing for him. He is about lifestyle, he likes the old-school fighters from the 1970s and the Kronk Gym, where you can knock people out.”
