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ANTHONY JOSHUA is bulking again as much as his brutal greatest in a bid to bowl over Kubrat Pulev.
The unified heavyweight champion faces Pulev this Saturday in a IBF necessary defence.
Anthony Joshua is bulking again as much as his brutal greatestCredit score: Twitter
It comes a 12 months on after he dramatically slimmed down to outbox Andy Ruiz Jr and reclaim his titles – having misplaced them six months prior.
But AJ appears to have beefed up in preparation for Pulev, giving the primary clue to how he could strategy the battle tactically.
Right here SunSport runs down Joshua’s final 4 fights and what he weighed beforehand.
Joseph Parker, March 2018
Joshua dropped down to 17st 4lb for his unification in opposition to New Zealand’s Parker, a slick and speedy operator.
And his choice to return in lighter paid off as he went 12 rounds for the primary time on the best way to successful the WBO belt.
Joshua dropped his normally aggressive and attack-minded strategy to field intelligent and outpoint Parker.
On the time, it was AJ’s lightest weight in 4 years.
Joshua dropped all the way down to 17st 4lb for his unification in opposition to Joseph ParkerCredit score: Richard Pelham – The Solar
Alexander Povetkin, September 2018
Povetkin was outweighed by TWO STONE when he travelled to Wembley Stadium, as Joshua tipped the scales 17st 8lb.
Figuring out he had a measurement and peak benefit, AJ got here in barely heavier to attempt to impose his body.
However he truly began the battle gradual, as Povetkin wobbled him within the opening rounds in what had been nervy levels for the champ.
Because the motion bought into the later rounds, Joshua got here on robust and knocked Povetkin out within the seventh.
Joshua tipped the scales 17st 8lb in opposition to Alexander Povetkin Credit score: Information Group Newspapers Ltd
Andy Ruiz Jr, June 2019
Joshua got here in at 17st 7lb forward of his US debut in opposition to Andy Ruiz Jr – who changed drug cheat Jarrell Miller.
Ruiz alternatively got here in sizably heavier as he weighed 19st 2lb, however was nonetheless a 25/1 underdog.
Regardless of scoring a knockdown in spherical three, AJ was twice dropped himself in the identical session.
He hit the ground two extra instances on the best way to dropping within the seventh, capping off a remarkable upset for Ruiz.
Joshua got here in at 17st 7lb forward of his US debut in opposition to Andy Ruiz JrCredit score: AP:Related Press
Andy Ruiz Jr, December 2019
Understanding he wanted to keep away from a commerce off and field on the again foot, Joshua slimmed all the way down to 16st 13lb.
It was the lightest he had ever weighed for a world title fight, whereas Ruiz astonishingly ballooned as much as 20st.
The tactical shift in kilos paid dividends for AJ, who outsmarted Ruiz over 12 rounds.
Joshua gained again the WBA, IBF and WBO titles as he put his profession on the road in what was a must-win rematch.
Joshua slimmed all the way down to 16st 13lb when he rematched Ruiz Credit score: Alamy Reside Information
Kubrat Pulev, December 2020
Joshua will weigh in forward of his return to the ring on Friday, revealing the true extent of his physique transformation.
But it surely appears as if he has placed on some measurement, a clue that he may swap again foot boxing techniques for a extra rugged strategy in opposition to Pulev.
AJ was meant to face the Bulgarian in 2017 earlier than Carlos Takam crammed in as a alternative following an harm.
Joshua beat Takam at a profession heaviest 18st 2lb, an indication that he was the truth is placing on mass to tackle Pulev, earlier than the last-minute change.
It appears as if Joshua has placed on some measurementCredit score: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
