Reborn and Dangerous: Is Anthony Joshua in the Best Mental Shape of His Career?
Anthony Joshua remains adamant that he never lost his self-belief, even after suffering two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, he acknowledges the importance of carefully plotting his path back to title contention. Following a challenging period, the old Joshua appears to have reawakened over the past year. But his true test lies ahead…
Anthony Joshua remains adamant that he never lost his self-belief, even after suffering two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, he acknowledges the importance of carefully plotting his path back to title contention.
Following a challenging period, the old Joshua appears to have reawakened over the past year. But his true test lies ahead as he prepares to face IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois on September 21.
Now 34, Joshua seems content and at ease training under Ben Davison. Though he’s always been in exceptional physical condition, one could argue that he’s entering the fight against Dubois in the best mental state of his entire career. It has taken time, but this version of Joshua has gained invaluable insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level, fully understanding both his strengths and weaknesses.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) has come to terms with the reality that he can be beaten. While he may never regain the unshakeable self-belief that fueled his first reign as heavyweight champion, this added layer of caution has turned him into a more calculated fighter.
Perhaps most crucially, he has regained the confidence to fully commit to his attacks when the moment is right.
When asked by DAZN to describe his past year, Joshua summed it up as “progressive.”
“We started off on a rocky road, coming off a defeat to the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk. He’s proven himself to be a credible fighter, a credible heavyweight. So, coming off two losses to him, you know how it is: You always believe in yourself, but it’s tough when others start doubting you too.”
Calling Usyk a “credible fighter” might downplay the Ukrainian’s abilities somewhat, or it could indicate that Joshua is being overly self-critical. It might also suggest that rather than idolizing Usyk, Joshua believes the improvements he’s made since those back-to-back losses have made him a much better fighter, and he still sees Usyk as a beatable opponent.
Dubois promises to be Joshua’s most challenging and dangerous test in quite some time. If Joshua can execute his game plan with composure and defeat his fellow Londoner in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, he can truly declare that he’s back.
“There’s a lot of pressure when people say you’re not the same fighter anymore, so you have to go back and rebuild,” Joshua said. “I went through that rebuilding process, and while I’m not claiming to have beaten world champion after world champion, each step has been necessary to get to this point. Every fight has been a good progression.
“From going 12 rounds with Jermaine Franklin, to seven with Robert Helenius – which was supposed to be Dillian Whyte – then five with Otto Wallin, and finally two with Francis Ngannou. Who knows what will happen on September 21?”