By Radio Rahim
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) has packed on too much muscle for his own good.
When Joshua made his pro debut in October of 2013, he weighed 230-pounds and he's been as low as 229.
For his last fight, against Carlos Takam in October of 2017, Joshua was very muscular and weighed a career high 254-pounds. He secured a tenth round stoppage, but looked sluggish in the fight and seemed to tire in the second half as Takam was pushing him to the limit.
Joshua is back on March 31, at Principality in Cardiff, Wales. That night, he will collide with WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) in a unification fight.
If Joshua prevails, he would be in line for a mega-fight with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs).
Wilder has to get past Luis Ortiz on March 3rd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
In order to overcome the challenge of Wilder, Roach believes Joshua would have to shed off some of that muscle mass before their anticipated showdown takes place.
"I think that's a great fight. Joshua is a really great fighter. He asked me if I could train him one time and I hope that comes true one day. I think he's in good hands. The thing about him right now, is that I think he's working too much on the weight lifting and he's got a lot of muscle arou
2023-10-20 09:35:47
