Former WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has adopted an intense mindset and is ready to shock the world after returning to training in preparation for his proposed fight with Tyson Fury, says gym-mate Richard Riakporhe.
It was announced on Tuesday that Joshua and his team had accepted all terms laid out by Fury in view of a blockbuster all-British showdown on December 3.
Joshua has wasted no time in getting back to the gym since losing to Oleksandr Usyk by split decision in their August 20 rematch as he seeks to reestablish himself among the division’s belt-holders.
“It hasn’t been long since the Usyk fight but I feel like you just need a few days off, I don’t like to stay away from the gym for too long,” cruiserweight world title contender Riakporhe told Sky Sports.
“I feel like he’s had a bit of a break anyway in between the first Usyk fight and the second, so he knows what he needs to do to improve and they’ve kind of come up with a system.
“If they continue to follow that system eventually he’s going to be very successful because he’s seen improvements from the first Usyk fight and the second.
“Eventually he’s going to come away with a big win and it’s going to shock the world in my opinion.”
Johnny Nelson shares his views on the potential fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after Joshua’s management team accepted the terms set by Fury’s team.
Riakporhe was pictured sparring with Joshua on Wednesday in a session he wishes could have been witnessed by fans as such was the ferocity at which the pair approached it.
“In the gym he had very good spirits and there’s a different focus, an intense kind of look in his eyes these days,” added Riakporhe. “He seems really, really hungry and it’s astonishing for me to see because of what this man has achieved so far.
“For him to come back into the gym like a week, two weeks after the fight and just ready to go again and accepting another fight which is tough, it shows what type of man he is and what type of cloth he is cut from.
“We sparred some heavy, heavy rounds, I promise you the public would have paid to see this. It was all guns blazing, nobody holding back and very exciting. It was really tough, this guy can hit hard and he’s just in that mould.