Anthony Joshua may be preparing to take on IBF world heavyweight champion Charles Martin, but he’s already got one eye on his next step.
Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua told Sky Sports in a recent interview that he would love to take on former world champion David Haye if he defeats Martin on April 9.
It didn’t take long for the Hayemaker to respond, posting a video to his Facebook in which the 35-year-old says he would relish the chance to face Joshua, as well as giving his fellow Brit some advice for dealing with Martin’s southpaw.
“If you’re world champion, the best in the world, you should really be ready to fight anyone,” Haye said. “You can’t go back to domestic. Once you’re world champion the idea is you fight the biggest possible fights to make as much money as you can.”
Haye, who is preparing for a fight against an unnamed opponent on May 21 in London, advises AJ not to get involved in “a boxing match” but instead go for an early knockout.
“The key to victory against a southpaw is your lead hand – your left hand,” he said. “Although it might feel like you’re not landing with a southpaw because your hand goes over the top, it’s a bit of a fencing game.
“Everyone thinks with a southpaw you just throw your hand down the middle. But good southpaws rely on people believing that and just shooting right hands from out of range.
“If you throw a right hand from out of range against a southpaw, not only will you miss, you’ll get countered.”
Haye then claims that Martin “looks like he’s got a bit of soft body” and encourages Joshua to rely on his punching power.
It’s clear there’s a respect there between the two.
#HayeDay returns to The O2 on May 21, tickets are available on general sale now via AXS.com.
