For the first time since notching a second-round knockout over Charles Martin in April of 2016, Anthony Joshua is in the role of the challenger as he looks to regain the IBF, WBA (super) and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. on Saturday from Diriyah Arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Back in June, Ruiz shocked the boxing world in scoring one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history by knocking down the Brit four times to win via seventh-round stoppage. While the roles are reversed in the rematch, Joshua is looking to overcome the bump in the road from six months ago and continue on the path he had set prior to the stunning loss.
"I've been boxing for awhile now," Joshua said at Wednesday's press conference. "When I came into boxing, I didn't really come to take part; I came to take over. I came full force and fully committed. The focus has always been there, but I never had a chance to reflect because it was just like (fighting for) the European championships, the world championships, the Olympic championships, the British championships — boom, boom, boom. I'm not here to put on a show — I'm just here to win."
One of the narratives leading into the rematch: Joshua didn't have the necessary hunger and desire in the first fight with Ruiz. Pundits also said Joshua took Ruiz lightly and felt like it would be a walk in the park, and he'd leave the United States and head back to England the unified heavyweight champion.
Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) heard all the noise. The ultra-focused Englishman feels he dispelled those notions by jumping right back into the gym and working on what went wrong in New York City. In his mind, it's the same Anthony Joshua heading into the ring — just a different role.
"In my 16th fight, I challenged for the world title," Joshua said. "(I) challenged for the world title against (Wladimir) Klitschko, then again with (Joseph) Parker. And now, I'm challenging for the world title again. ...
"I'm definitely experienced. I know what I'm doing. Through reflection, in my own time, I realized that me and Andy are very different, but the only thing all of us have in common is time. I just had to use my time very wisely.
"As I got back from New York, where I felt that commitment I always had, I got back right into the gym. I didn't lose any heart. I didn't lose any type of fire in my belly. I stayed punching the heavy bag preparing for this day. There's no fear in my heart. No fear in my eyes. No fear in my mind."