Promoter Eddie Hearn was in full salesmanship mode today as he introduced his premier fighter to the American public ahead of his biggest fight of his life.
That fight? A showdown of course with Wladimir Klitschko on April 29th in front of 90,000 fans.
Klitschko did his part to put some pressure on Joshua with these comments today at Madison Square Garden, but perhaps the praise heaped on him by his promoter Hearn added a few extra degrees to the pressure tank.
Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua today in NYC:
“I believe this young man here (Anthony Joshua) is going to be the biggest thing in boxing in many, many years. He’s got speed. He’s got power. He’s got a smile that can melt the hearts of women all around the world. He gets embarrassed when I talk about him like that but I don’t care. Because I tell you, he’s a great man. Great star.”
Ironically, Joshua wasn’t doing a lot of smiling during the press conference in New York today, seemingly switched on already – with a steely glaze and focus about him.
Obviously his promoter is going to back his man, but the above are big, big claims that Hearn made today.
If there wasn’t already a lot of pressure on Joshua ahead of April 29th – there certainly will be now.
If he handles it and wins in good style it could be the making of something very special indeed.
Time will tell though, in this unforgiving brutal game of heavyweight boxing.
Where one punch can put big plans to the back of the line as quickly as they were conjured up.