All the pressure is on the young, broad shoulders of Anthony Joshua this weekend.
‘AJ’ is favourite to get the better of Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley, a feat which would condemn the former undisputed world champion to consecutive defeats for the first time in his 21 years as a professional.
Joshua has never encountered an opponent as proven as Klitschko but the Brit’s perfect pro record of 18 wins, zero defeats, with all victories coming by way of knockout has plenty of fight fans, pundits and fellow competitors picking him to stretch that streak to 19.
Joshua’s power has put many a man to sleep, a habit that has earned him comparisons with the great Mike Tyson.
But Tyson actually sees shades of a different heavyweight legend in the London 2012 gold medallist, as he explained how Joshua reminds him of none other than George Foreman.
“Joshua reminds me of a young George Foreman,” Tyson told Sky Sports.
“He is just wrecking anyone that’s in front of him to get to the top. He is demolishing everyone.
“In my mind, it’s got to be Joshua early on – and I hope he does it – but if it goes late it could be Klitschko.”
Foreman went 40 fights undefeated before his record was blemished by Muhammad Ali in 1974. He retired in 1977, only to return a decade later looking better than ever.
Grilling achievements aside, Foreman will go down as an all-time great in the ring and the way he treated a heavy bag is enough to give you nightmares.
And to receive such an amazing compliment from Tyson, who doesn’t throw out comparisons like that lightly, Joshua will be filled with confidence ahead of the biggest fight of his life.
“I am looking forward to this one,” Tyson added.
“I’m excited we are going to get to see Joshua. He is just a beast. A big beast.”
