JOSHUA vs JOHNSON PREVIEW
On Saturday night Great Britain's Anthony Joshua 12-0 (12 KO's) will step to a level he has not yet been to as a professional when he faces former World title challenger, the skilled American, Kevin Johnson 29-6 (14 KO's). The two will lock horns on Matchroom Sport's pay-per-view event, Rule Britannia at the o2 Arena in London.
Joshua, a 6 ft 6, 18 stone monster of pure muscle only took up boxing at the age of 18 when his cousin suggested he take up the sport. Joshua excelled in the Amatuer game and by his 18th contest he was the National champion. In 2010 the GB Boxing Team offered him a place in the squad. He represented GB at the 2011 World Championships in Azerbaijan, where he carved through his opponents. He caused a huge upset when he beat reigning Olympic & World champion, Roberto Cammarelle. He lost in the final to the local fighter by a single point, earning him a silver medal but more importantly, qualified him for the 2012 Olympics.
Joshua had a tough route in the Olympics and came through wins over Cuba's Erislandy Savon, China's Zhilei Zhang, Zazakhstan's Ivan Dychko before being matched in the final with the man he defeated a year previous, Roberto Cammarelle. After losing the 1st round, Joshua battled back to beat the reignaing champion on points, via countback. He turned professional on October 2013 and quickly blitzed through his opposition. He displayed devastating power, good timing, and a ramrod jab that he uses as a great measuring stick before letting off with his huge punches. The worry among boxing fans was that he may turn out like the last Super Heavyweight Olympic champion from the UK, Audley Harrison. He has so far proved to be a long way from that and goes about his business with bad intentions.
Outside the ring he conducts himself as a gentleman and is respectful towards opponents. He is a very likeable person who has immediatley gathered a large fan base. He clearly takes the sport very seriously as you see by his tremendous physique. I haven't seen a fighter in as good as shape since perhaps Frank Bruno 20 years ago. He has made sure to keep his feet on the ground and is quick to shoot down claims he is the next great heavyweight, always replying that he has a lot to learn and prove. The man is clearly heading to the top and his work rate and hunger for training is refreshing to see for a man who has already made a lot of money. He trains and fights like he's poor.
Kevin Johnson had a brief amatuer career fighting only 16 times before turning pro in 2002. He is a long counter puncher, who has a very fine jab. After only three fights he was thrown in with undefeated Olympian Timur Ibragimov, who had already gained 13 wins as a pro. Johnson was thrown in as lamb to the slaughter but suprised the crowd to fight to a draw, showing real promise and a crafty style based on a solid defence and a super jab. He beat some well known club fighters afterwards to confirm he was more than being a journeyman, which many people wrote him off as when he turned professional. By the end of 2007 he built his record to 17-0-1 and was widely regarded as America's best Heavyweight prospect. He gained three more victory's, including a TKO win over Bruce Seldon to move to 20-0-1. It was at this time he was given the opportunity of a lifetime, he would be challenging WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in December 2009. Johnson became only the second man to take Klitschko the distance in his career, losing by a wide points decision. He did find success with the jab where he marked up the champions eye, aswell as frustrating Klitschko with his awkward defence.
After the Klitschko fight he notched up four straight wins, including a TKO win over future World title challenger Alex Leapai before losing in the Prizefighter final to Tor Hamer, simply being outworked over 3 rounds. He fought Tyson Fury over 12 rounds in a WBC title eliminator but lost a wide decision. He travelled to Australia in 2013 as an opponent but caused an upset to TKO the home fighter. That was Johnson's last win and since then he has lost his last three fights. The losses have come at the hands of Christian Hammer, Derreck Chisora & Manual Charr, all on points. It is clear Johnson's days of being a contender are over, he is nothing more than a gatekeeper now. He seems to have fallen out of love with boxing and simply coasts his way through fights with his still good jab and his excellent defence. The fact he has never been stopped in the ring after fighting top fighters shows just how much of a task it is to KO the American.
Johnson has reportedly been locked away training harder for this fight than even his fight with Klitschko. If Johnson turns up in shape and willing to impose himself in the fight then he could give Joshua problems. He is certainly the most skilled fighter the British prospect has faced in his career so far. Johnson has the capability's of dragging Joshua in to waters he has never been to before and it may get interesting if the fight goes late. However, Joshua trains ridiculously hard for every fight and if it is to go late I see him out fighting the American every round. Johnson is a good fighter and can have his moments if hes motivated. I just feel no matter how motivated Johnson is, even on his best night he is beaten by Joshua. I also see AJ as being the first man to stop Johnson and i see it happening sometime in the middle rounds.
