The Anthony Joshua opponents who have defined his short heavyweight career to date that has seen him move quickly as a pro.
Saturday night will see Anthony Joshua return to the ring for his 20th fight as a professional boxer.
When you consider that it’s still only his 20th fight and that he became world champion as quick as he did, and fought and beat Wladimir Klitschko in only his 19th fight, it gives one a barometer of just how fast he’s progressed.
Joshua and his coach Rob McCracken would surely admit that by no way is Joshua the finished article yet however.
But, if he can keep improving like he has been, imagine where he could be in say two or three years?
His two real tests to date have been against Dillian Whyte and Wladimir Klitschko.
Both contests he showed he was capable of getting hurt but able to weather the storm to come back and win in emphatic fashion.
This early adversity in his pro career should hold him in good stead long-term and will serve as an early reality check that no matter how good you are, in heavyweight boxing anyone can get caught and hurt with a single punch.
The folks at Showtime YouTube (hat tip) have put together a really excellent quick look back at the key Joshua opponents who have got him to where he is to date ahead of the Takam bout on Saturday:
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