You’d never guess that Anthony Joshua is going to be defending the world heavyweight title in front of almost 80,000 spectators on Saturday night.
‘AJ’ was a vision of composure as he took to the scales in Cardiff and surprised plenty by weighing in at his career heaviest.
Despite suggestions that the 28-year-old was going to be as much as 10lbs lighter than he was ahead of his meeting with Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua tipped the scales at 18st 2lbs on Friday afternoon.
He's HUGE 💪💪💪 https://t.co/Xr2uzAAEth
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) October 27, 2017
After facing off with late replacement Carlos Takam with an intense handshake and staredown, Joshua then addressed the crowd and joked around with Sky Sports’ Adam Smith.
First, Joshua laughed off the rumours about his weight which were kick-started by promoter Eddie Hearn.
“I’d been starving myself,” Joshua joked. “Maybe I’m starting to fill out as I get older and find my natural weight? Who knows what it is, but I feel fitter than I have for any fight.”
Then ‘AJ’ decided to get up to a bit of mischief by asking the sell-out crowd to give Hearn, a polarising figure in the boxing world, a rousing reception.
Joshua knew what he was doing. pic.twitter.com/HKw7PiTjSV
— Darragh Murphy (@DarrMurphy) October 27, 2017
Joshua definitely knew what he was doing as the lack of cheers which followed his request inspired a hearty laugh from the champ.
“Can we get a big cheer for Eddie Hearn” AJ you joker
— James (@JamesTuzzio) October 27, 2017
AJ saying can we have a big cheer for Eddie Hearn and there is pure silence in the room 😂what I watch this stuff for
— Billy (@Bil_Gallagher) October 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/archie_bond/status/923901841934635008
https://twitter.com/JamesHarvey87/status/923901922331058176
