Eddie Hearn believes the ‘new’ Anthony Joshua is more dangerous than ever
Ahead of Anthony Joshua’s forthcoming fight with IBF World champion Daniel Dubois in September, the heavyweight’s promoter Eddie Hearn has discussed his sudden change in personality that’s seen him win four in a row, displaying some highlight reel KOs.
“It’s not a new AJ in terms of his edge. He’s always been real. But I do think it’s a new AJ in terms of his confidence,” the 45-year-old said.
“But now he thinks ‘I’ve done my job. I don’t give a f**k anymore.’ Now, if you put it on him, he wants to take your head off.”
Famed for being calm and composed at the beginning of his professional career, Joshua threatened to hit Daniel Dubois with a chair during a press conference ahead of their IBF title fight at Wembley this September.
The 34-year-old, who previously held that red and gold belt as well as the WBA, WBO and IBO versions before being dethroned by Oleksandr Usyk, also used the occasion to label Tyson Fury “an idiot” before becoming embroiled in a social media feud with another fellow Brit – former super-middleweight king Carl Froch.
Joshua’s change of approach has prompted some critics to accuse him of acting in order to remain relevant in a division dominated by Fury and the Ukrainian.
But, according to Hearn, his boxer’s confrontational attitude stems from the fact he no longer feels the need to act as a cheerleader for the sport.
“He’s always had that edge,” the Matchroom chief told SportsBoom.com.
“But I think he’s a lot less guarded now.
“When he won the Olympics, he came through that GB school which can be very corporate and that’s been amazing for the sport.”
“He’s been an ambassador for it, increased interest in it again and increased participation among kids at grassroots level.
“But now he thinks ‘I’ve done my job. I don’t give a f**k anymore.’ Now, if you put it on him, he wants to take your head off.
“People say they love this new AJ,” Hearn continued. “It’s not a new AJ in terms of his edge.
“He’s always been real. But I do think it’s a new AJ in terms of his confidence.
“He’s still the same AJ I’ve always seen right the way through. Nothing, from my perspective and from what I know of him, has changed whatsoever.”
From Watford, Joshua has won all of his four bouts since suffering back-to-back defeats to Usyk with three of those victories coming inside the distance.
With Dubois being installed as the IBF champion following Usyk’s decision to relinquish the belt after his recent decision over Fury for the undisputed crown, Joshua knows that beating the Londoner could set up either a trilogy with his former conqueror, Usyk, or the huge, long-awaited money-spinning clash with The Gypsy King.
Reflecting on Joshua’s argument with Dubois, Hearn said: “Now, when I see people say ‘Come on then’ he’s back on the estate and out in the park. In the past, he might have taken a deep breath and decided not to rise to it or take the bait whereas now things are very different.
“He won’t back down. He’s not bothered about all the other stuff, trying to impress different people anymore.
“He’s always been true to himself, and he’s always been real. I know that. He knows that.
“The only difference now is that people who might not know him as well as I or those around him do are seeing that side to him we’ve always known has been there,” Hearn concluded.
Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua fight predictions
