Anthony Joshua has always said he is a keen student of boxing.
The former two-time world champion is notorious for being keen to learn from anyone he can. He was late to the sport, having only started aged 18, but soon made an impression by winning an Olympic Gold Medal back in London in 2012.
Just four years later Joshua picked up his maiden world title when he knocked out Charles Martin in quick fashion, and before long, he was unifying the division with a hard-fought win over long-time unified ruler, Wladimir Klitschko.
After that, he also added the WBO belt with a win over Joseph Parker but then took his first defeat in June 2019 when he was beaten by underdog Andy Ruiz Jr.
Six months later, Joshua reversed the result in the rematch and, after a few more wins, took on Oleksandr Usyk twice within 12 months, but lost both fights on points. After a second rebuild, he went into a world title shot with IBF ruler Daniel Dubois but was KOed inside six rounds.
In December last year, he beat the overmatched Jake Paul with a brutal stoppage of his own, and will now return to the ring in late July against Kristian Prenga. That is a fight he must win if he wants to take on long-time British rival Tyson Fury as is planned, though no venue has yet been confirmed.
Speaking to DAZN Boxing before his next bout, Joshua was asked who he likes watching most.
“Roberto Duran.”
Duran is one of boxing’s greatest-ever. Nicknamed ‘Manos de Piedra’ or Hands of Stone, the Panamanian won world titles across four weight divisions between 1972 and 1989.
He was celebrated for his ferocious aggression, durability and technical brilliance as he amassed a record of 103 fights and just 16 losses.
