Anthony Joshua keeps quiet over weight speculation

In an interview with Sky Sports Anthony Joshua refused to confirm assumptions that he will weigh-in notably lighter to fight Joseph Parker.

“AJ” weighed in at a career-heaviest when he fought Wladimir Klitschko (17st 12lbs) then Carlos Takam (18st 2lbs) but it has been suggested by his promoter Eddie Hearn that he might shed weight for the upcoming world title unification fight on March 31.

“I’m not going to say because, last time I said that, I came in at my career-heaviest,” Joshua said

“I’m not going to jinx it. Whether I’m bigger than I was for Takam, or lighter than I was for Dominic Breazeale, I will make sure I am victorious.

”I think stretching is important. Because I’m already a big guy I can tense up, naturally. I tend to do a lot more stretching now, to keep my body loose. I’m not snacking as much, which is something heavyweights can do,” he added.

Eddie Hearn had previously claimed:

“I can’t see [Joshua] coming in more than 17st 8lbs or 17st 9lbs, which would be half-a-stone lighter than the last fight. Maybe he will be even lighter.”

WBO champion Parker, who was 17st 7lbs in his most recent fight, is also reportedly targeting a lighter weight for this month’s upcoming fight at the Principality Stadium in Wales.

The New Zealand puncher’s trainer Kevin Barry stating:

”Yes we’ll come in lighter for this fight.”

”I think it’s very important that Joe is very fast on his feet and very mobile in this fight against Joshua.”