Anthony Joshua will be ringside to watch rival Dillian Whyte defend his WBC interim Heavyweight title against Alexander Povetkin on Saturday.
Unified WBA ‘Super,’ IBF, WBO & IBO world heavyweight champion, Joshua will be a part of the Sky Sports Box Office team alongside Natasha Jonas and Tony Bellew to watch his two former foes, Whyte and Povetkin clash in Matchroom’s Fight Camp finale.
Joshua, who is awaiting a date for his first defence of his second reign as Heavyweight world champion against IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev, stopped both Whyte and Povetkin, in 2015 and 2018 respectively and is also anticipating Katie Taylor’s undisputed Lightweight world title rematch against Delfine Persoon.
“I really respect her [Katie Taylor],” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“She is phenomenal. She is someone I sit back quietly and learn from.
“She is a real-life athlete – I am more reckless. I take inspiration from her. She is a dedicated athlete.”
Jonas will return to Fight Camp just over a fortnight on from her thrilling WBC Super-Featherweight world title draw with Terri Harper and says she will have a close eye on former foe Taylor, who she was beaten by in the 2012 Olympic Quarter-Finals.
“The girls are leading the way in Fight Camp,” said Jonas.
“I’m most looking forward to the Taylor fight and I think Taylor has got a point to prove this time, so she’ll be looking to make a statement.
“Anyone around my weight class, is someone I’ve always got my eye on. You’ve got to look at them from a tactical point of view – and I’ll be looking for weaknesses.”
Former Cruiserweight world champion, Bellew will also be on the team with Adam Smith, Anna Woolhouse, Johnny Nelson and Matthew Macklin.
Bellew, who defeated David Haye twice at Heavyweight is expecting Whyte’s meeting with former world champion Povetkin to be a fiery affair.
“I can’t wait to see Whyte-Povetkin and Taylor-Persoon,” said Bellew.
“A fantastic night of fights and it’s going to be exciting from start to finish.
“Povetkin doesn’t know any other way than to meet fire with fire. Whyte, he fights anyone, and gets stuck in from the word go.
“Whyte is a vicious counter puncher and I just expect an explosive fight from the word go.”
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Anthony Joshua is part of our team for this Saturday’s Box Office event as Dillian Whyte risks his World Title ambitions against the dangerous Alexander Povetkin and Katie Taylor takes on Delfine Persoon in an epic rematch.
“AJ knows all about Whyte and Povetkin’s strengths, having already shared the ring with them, while he has followed Taylor’s career with interest since they were both Olympians at London 2012.
“Natasha joins us, just a few weeks after her thrilling draw with Terri Harper, and it could be a scouting mission for the Liverpudlian, who is keen to force her way into Taylor’s future plans.
“Tony Bellew is back on Box Office, this time behind the mic, and he knows all about the excitement surrounding a big Heavyweight clash. It’s a terrific Box Office team that will bring you every opinion and talking point in a thrilling finale to Fight Camp!”
Whyte, who has been the WBC’s number one contender for over 1000 days can guarantee a shot at the winner of the trilogy bout between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, with victory over the Povetkin.
Promoter Eddie Hearn suggested earlier this week that Whyte could rematch Joshua if the victor opts against facing the Brixton man and vacating, which would result in him being elevated from interim to full WBC world champion.
