ONE of Anthony Joshua’s sparring partners has lifted the lid on just how tough the champion is – and warned about his ‘explosive’ right hand.
AJ perfectly picked out a set of sparring partners all primed to help him prepare for his mandatory title defence against Kubrat Pulev this Saturday.
German Peter Kadiru, 10-0, was one of those selected to travel to the Brit star’s Team GB training camp in Sheffield.
Joshua – who returns to the ring after a career longest 12 month lay off – revealed he allowed sparring partners to punch him up – so he could regain his toughness.
But according to Kadiru, AJ definitely got his own back, using his devastating attributes to full affect.
He told SunSport: “AJ is extremely fit, moves well, has a fast jab, an explosive right hand and his hooks are powerful and hard.
“On top he is always completely focused and works constantly on mistakes.
“This is a wonderful experience to spar with a great champion likenAJ who is such a dominant factor for many years.
“I have learned so much and could see first hand how you have to train to become the No1.”
Kadiru was sent over to AJ’s training HQ thanks to the help of his manager Bernd Bonte, who formerly worked with Wladimir Klitschko.
Bonte welcomed Joshua over to Klitschko’s Austria camp in 2014 for some famous sparring sessions.
The pair became good friends, but it did not stop them from producing an all-time classic in 2017, which AJ won in round 11.
Joshua, 31, still seeks the advice of the legendary Ukrainian, 44, and considers him a mentor, despite sending Klitschko into retirement.
Kadiru is plotting a similar path to success – knowing AJ has three of the four world titles every heavyweight is chasing.
But for now, the unbeaten 23-year-old will sit back and watch as he predicts a demolition job in front of a reduced crowd at Wembley Arena.
Kadiru said: “I hope that one day I can step into the ring with such a great champion.
“That would be a real hinour but first of all I have to learn and improve and my focus now is to support AJ for his fight against Pulev.
“I’m absolutely sure that AJ will knock Pulev out. AJ is in his prime, totally fit and has improved constantly.
“Pulev on the other hand is already 39-years-old. In the heavyweight division anything is possible but AJ is a huge favourite.”
Joshua goes into his comeback fight knowing he is potentially one win away from finally sealing a deal with long-time rival Tyson Fury.
Fury, 31, who won the WBC belt in February after dethroning Deontay Wilder, 35, is awaiting the result of AJ’s next fight before deciding his future.
The pair have already verbally agreed a two-fight deal, sharing the profits equally.
And Kadiru agrees everything about the undisputed title decider is a 50/50 swing, but he will be backing Joshua all the way.
He explained: “That’s really hard to predict.
“Both are without any doubt currently the two best heavyweights. It is a 50/50 fight.
“But if it happens I will definitely root for AJ.”
