Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua remembers being really shook up by his domestic rival, Dillian Whyte, during their clash in December of 2015.
In the early rounds, Joshua was rocked by Whyte – but he overcame that moment and rallied down the stretch to knock Whyte out in the seventh round.
“As I’ve gone to throw a right hand, you’re supposed to sit back on your back foot and rotate to get your leverage. What I did, I lent over my front hand, which puts me in the firing line and boom – a left hook hits me,” Joshua explained to DAZN.
“I didn’t see it coming, because I wasn’t interested in what was coming back, I’m just interested in attacking Dillian. It was a peach of a punch and it shook me down to me boots.”
The two rivals will collide for a second time on August 12 at the O2 Arena in London.
Their second meeting is viewed by some observers as a crossroads encounter.
Joshua came back to the ring in April, with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin. It was the British star’s first fight after suffering back to back losses to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Whyte’s last ring appearance was also against Franklin, in November of last year. Franklin put forth a very spirited effort, with Whyte coming away with a tough twelve round majority decision. It was Whyte’s first bout since suffering a knockout loss at the hands of WBC world champion Tyson Fury.
Joshua feels the upcoming grudge match is a must-win encounter.
“It’s a huge night for my career. I’m gonna be victorious, 100 percent. That’s my goal, that’s my plan. And yeah, that’s my motivation. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Respect to the team. May the best man win,” Joshua said.