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Anthony Joshua keen to move on from Wladimir Klitschko victory

Eurosport
ByEurosport

Updated 27/10/2017 at 12:47 GMT

Anthony Joshua intends to put his defeat of Wladimir Klitschko "to the side" when on Saturday he defends his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Carlos Takam.

Anthony Joshua prepares for his fight.

Image credit: Eurosport

The 28-year-old also insists the methods of his trainer Rob McCracken mean Takam replacing the injured Kubrat Pulev at late notice represents no additional threat.
Under the roof at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, in front of an expected crowd of 70,000 - a world record for a fight at an indoor arena - Joshua fights for the first time since establishing himself as the world's leading heavyweight.
April's dramatic stoppage defeat of Klitschko, the dominant heavyweight of the modern era, represented the finest night of his decorated career and could yet also prove his defining fight.
As well as securing his financial future, that victory also made him one of Britain's most popular figures, but far from revelling in that glory, the Olympic gold medallist is determined to move on.
We're going to have to put that Klitschko win to the side at some stage. Boxing's unforgiving: that was that, this is now.
"Carlos is a completely different animal to Klitschko. In terms of style, technique and preparation, everything's completely different. My mindset's completely different, and it's going to be a completely different fight.
"It's not like this brings an ego. I keep my feet on the ground. I'm still grinding, I'm still hungry."
Saturday's fight, which comes 24 years after Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno fought for the WBC heavyweight title at Cardiff's National Stadium, takes place with Joshua and Takam having had less than a fortnight to prepare for each other following Pulev's withdrawal.
"My trainer Rob McCracken has always taught me to focus on myself, my own personal development, rather than the opponent," Joshua said.
"He's never trained me for just one style of opponent. Whether I was fighting Kubrat Pulev or Carlos Takam, he's adapted me and it's been about my own balance, footwork and technique. I've fought a lot of people like his style."
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When Eurosport met Anthony Joshua

The 36-year-old Frenchman Takam, who was born in Cameroon, has never previously fought for a world title but lost to WBO champion Joseph Parker before New Zealander's title reign began, and he said: "This will change my life. I'm going to beat him, of course.
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Anthony Joshua (White Shorts) and Wladimir Klitschko (Gray Shorts) in action

Image credit: Getty Images

"It's true I met Anthony (before) and said 'We're going to have a fight'. I didn't know at that time it would be now, but I'm here, and I'm ready."
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