Anthony Joshua has revealed that he will be focused on winning rather than being entertaining when he faces Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on Saturday.
Joshua curbed his attacking instincts to go the distance for the first time as a pro against Joseph Parker in March, leaving some fans disappointed at the lack of exciting action.
The British hero’s last three fights have all gone to at least the 10th round and he claims he can no longer be gung-ho as he was in his epic 2015 win over Dillian Whyte, because he is now fighting at the elite level.
Joshua intends to be just as disciplined against Povetkin at Wembley Stadium and said: “There’s always pressure to knock people out.
When I watch boxing, I want to see a knockout so I get where people are coming from because I’m a fan of the sport as well.
“I remember when Lennox Lewis used to fight and everyone used to say how boring he was, but now everyone will tell you how great he was and how slick he was.
“It’s about winning — beating the opponent in front of you. Sometimes you can go looking for it and you get caught, the tables turn and history rewrites itself.
“I’ve got to be clever now. These fighters are a bit better than what I used to fight.”
Joshua knows the stakes are high against Povetkin, who has 24 stoppages in 34 wins, including a spectacular fifth-round KO of David Price in March to cement his status as the WBA’s mandatory challenger.
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