ANTHONY JOSHUA gave fans a glimpse into the final stages of his preparation before fighting Kubrat Pulev.
The unified heavyweight champion uploaded a video hitting the heavy bag, as he draws closer to Saturday’s title defence against Pulev.
In the video, AJ lets his hands go working upstairs and down to the body picking up the pace and power.
Joshua, 31, returns to the ring 12 months on from his last win, against Andy Ruiz Jr, also 31, having reclaimed his belts on points in Saudi Arabia.
The Londoner was due to make his homecoming in June against Pulev, 39, until the coronavirus pandemic KO’d any hope.
Now, six months on, AJ is finally braced to fight again, ending his longest run of inactivity since turning pro.
Joshua has been a regular fixture in the British boxing calendar since turning over in 2013, a year after winning gold at the London Olympics.
And ever since winning the world title in 2016, he has boxed at least twice a year.
So, having been afforded a year out of action, Joshua admits to feeling the pressures of ‘ring rust’ – but says that is what makes the comeback so fascinating.
He explained: “That’s what makes this fight so interesting. This year has just thrown every obstacle at us all.
“I can tell you that I’m a million dollars, I’ve been knocking everyone out in sparring – and then I go in there on Saturday night and I get my head punched in because I’ve got ring rust.
“Who knows? But I feel good. I’m looking forward to it.
“I haven’t boxed in such a long time but that’s why in lockdown I’ve done lots of training physically and mentally.”
