ANTHONY JOSHUA reckons only a ‘good psychopath’ can sleep as soundly as him before an assassination bid.
The 31-year-old WBA, IBF and WBO champion has been holed up in the Wembley Hilton hotel ahead of his fight with Kubrat Pulev tonight.
But instead of being crippled with nerves or pacing the corridors, he has been ice cool and laser-focused on recapturing his old ruthless style.
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960’s horror movie portrayed Norman Bates as a knife-wielding Psycho, dressed up in his dead mother’s dresses.
And modern science suggests some of the world’s top professionals carry psychopathic traits to keep their cool and make life-or-death decisions in the blink of a cold, dead eye.
AJ needs to silence the doubts that still linger over his June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr — and even the clever-but-cautious rematch win in his last fight 12 months ago.
And he is happy to harness his deadly instincts while doing so.
Joshua said: “Once a killer, always a killer. I sleep good. Certain people can’t sleep at night because they’re really tuned up for a fight.
“But I must be a good psychopath because I’m sleeping like a baby. I’m not worried. I do this. I go in and fight every day if I have to.
“If a shot lands and causes a lot of damage I will be looking to take him out. That doesn’t leave someone.”
Tyson Fury’s demolition of Deontay Wilder in February has put extra heat on AJ to light up Wembley Arena with fireworks.
But the 23-1 ace — with 21 KOs — reminded the world that he has been thrilling fans for seven years, while Fury’s fame came after a fair few snoozefests.
AJ said: “Remember it took a long time for Tyson Fury to become destructive. I’ve been that destructive ever since I started boxing.
“I’m just going to do the job in the best way possible because, number one, remaining champion is important, and number two getting the win is, in whatever fashion. But I’m ready for a 12-round fight if that is the case.”
What Joshua is not prepared for is letting Fury snatch any of the attention from his UK homecoming show.
The WBC champion, who splits his time between applauding and insulting Joshua, was invited to be at the fight and leap into the ring, after an expected AJ win, to start hyping their potential 2021 double header.
But the undefeated 32-year-old snubbed a VIP seat — and Joshua wants to hear no more about him until Sunday morning.
The Brit said: “I don’t think too much about it. He’s a good fighter.
“He came into the game very early on as a professional, probably around the time I’d just started.
“I’ve watched him, he’s done well. But I’m just focusing on my career right now. Good luck to him, but Saturday night is my night.
“Kubrat Pulev is my only focus right now. I’m not worried about any comments from any heavyweight at the minute. I never have been. I know how tough this game is. Good luck to them all, but until I fight them they’re irrelevant.”
Joshua revealed he has been studying some of history’s most feared and celebrated leaders to learn from their successes and mistakes.
He said: “There have been great warriors that have conquered the world. I’m just trying to conquer one man on Saturday night.
“I listen to a lot of world conquerors who have done amazing things, some not so good, some good.
“It gives me motivation and understanding. I’m part of their lineage and want to conquer as well.”
Joshua was sparring as late as Wednesday night and already has a gameplan in mind to beat the 39-year-old Bulgarian, who has waited in line for his shot since 2017.
AJ plans to nullify the jab that made Pulev a top amateur, before punishing him with the power that has made him a champion.
He added: “The bell rings Saturday night, Anthony Joshua comes out and takes the ground, looking at different options.
“Pulev throws that jab, Anthony parries it. Bam. Pulev now has shock on his face because he can’t land.
“Anthony Joshua lands a double jab, feints. Kaboom! The fight is underway. Make sure you tune in.”
Book and watch Anthony Joshua against Kubrat Pulev tonight live on Sky Sports Box Office.
