Promoter Eddie Hearn says he can see similarities between Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez and believes AJ’s winning mentality will see him overcome Tyson Fury.
IBF, WBA ‘Super’, WBO and IBO Heavyweight champion, Joshua is in training ahead of an expected undisputed clash with WBC titlist, Fury later this year with contracts exchanged between both sides.
Hearn, who promotes Joshua and is in the midst of a two-fight deal with four-weight world champion, Alvarez, who eased past Avni Yildirim last month and faces Billy Joe Saunders on May 8, admits the pair have similar traits.
“I see similarities, not in the ring, between him and Canelo,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
“Two guys who came from nothing, who have built their legacies, who have the same hunger now as when they first walked into a gym.
“That’s what makes a winner. Joshua is constantly trying to evolve.
“When you walk into Canelo’s dressing room after a fight he is talking to [his trainer] Eddy Reynoso about how he can improve.”
Joshua retained his world Heavyweight titles with a ninth round stoppage over Kubrat Pulev in December to set up a huge, all-British showdown with Fury, 32, who produced a stunning seventh round knockout of Deontay Wilder last February.
Both Hearn and Fury’s co-promoter, Bob Arum said last week that there were no more outstanding issues, with contracts set to be signed and up to seven venues in play to stage the bout, with the likes of Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar and Singapore all in the running for a potential June meeting.
Joshua, 31, had a WBO mandatory in the form of Olekandr Usyk, although the WBO cooled their demands for a mandatory defence and have ordered the Ukrainian to face Joe Joyce likely for the WBO Interim title, with discussions ongoing between both teams, whilst Wilder’s attempt to force a trilogy with Fury appears to have fallen by the wayside.
Matchroom Boxing boss, Hearn insists Joshua’s only focus is on his rival and believes he is making the improvements required to nullify Fury and become the first undisputed Heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
“He is so focused. Although he’d tell you that he’s training just to improve as a fighter, I know that all he’s thinking about is Fury,” Hearn added.
“He’s working on the plan to beat this guy and become undisputed.
“I love the work he’s doing, the improvements he’s making, the mind-set.
I’ll be undisputed 👑 @258mgt pic.twitter.com/uWWIc8P0Rn
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) February 23, 2021
“He has the mind-set of a winner, of a champion.
“Fury is a fantastic fighter but AJ will do a job on him.
“The preparation starts now. Don’t think Fury isn’t doing the same. He knows. This may be the biggest fight of all time.”
