Certain Joshua comments have caught the ear of one Tony Bellew ahead of this weekend’s heavyweight title showdown in Cardiff.

Anthony Joshua while speaking to Sky Sports News this week mentioned he usually doesn’t get nervous before fights but admitted he was feeling a little nervous for the first time ahead of this weekend’s fight with Carlos Takam.

Maybe it’s because of the last minute change of opponent. Maybe it’s because he’s boxing at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Who knows.

But, surely pre-fight nerves can only be a healthy thing.

After his final public workouts ahead of Saturday night’s fight Joshua added:

“When I need to dig deep & the skills aren’t working, I know I can pull it out the bag.”

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew of Liverpool and fellow promotional stablemate of Anthony Joshua at Matchroom Sport has been impressed with what Joshua said.

Speaking on social media, Bellew praised this mindset so close to the fight:

“This is the most important ingredient of a fighter! This cannot be taught it cannot be trained! You either have it or you don’t! He has it.”

Joshua has proven thus far that his heart does not fail him when the going gets tough, notably after been put down by Wladimir Klitschko to get up and win the fight.