Anthony Joshua: The Road to Klitschko

This programme contains very strong language

Once in a generation, a special fighter enters the ring.

More than a boxer, he transcends his sport.

Brutal.

Brilliant.

Unbeaten.

But now a shadow falls across the ring.

A challenger emerges more dangerous than before.

On Saturday night at Wembley Stadium,

Britain's Anthony Joshua faces Wladimir Klitschko

for the heavyweight championship of the world.

The British golden boy against the man who held the title for almost a decade.

It's the biggest live event in the history of British boxing,

a fight that can make Anthony Joshua a global icon.

It's a fight that Anthony Joshua COULD lose.

SIRENS WAIL

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-Hey, man, no paparazzi, man.

-No paparazzi, man.

-HE CHUCKLES

Right now we're in New York.

This is the official AJ versus WK press conference.

So we're doing a little tour.

# Start spreading the news... #

-He doesn't want to talk to you.

-Oh, OK.

He says, "Keep me away, keep me away."

I'm fighting a legend in the sport.

I'm going to steal you for some make-up, if you want to follow me.

We're not the best of friends, we don't exchange messages like,

"Great day today, bro." There's none of that, but I think there's just

that mutual respect as to what he's achieved

and what I'm trying to achieve.

JOSHUA LAUGHS

I've been trying to tell them.

'What he looks at is that,

' "I was that guy and I know what he's about to embark on." '

# New York

# New... #

'I totally feel him.

'I've been there, I've done that, I totally feel the man'

and...it's like a mirror of myself.

-Let's rock and roll.

-Right, guys, so you can all follow me, we're going to go...

'At the minute, it's all business,

'but when we're exchanging blows, man, it gets more personal.

'That respect goes out the way.'

Guys, thanks so much for joining us. Great to see you, finally.

-Great to be back.

-Great to see you, sir.

-You too.

Olympic champion. These guys are friends.

He actually went to your boxing camp as a young man.

For ten years, Wladimir Klitschko was the dominant force in world boxing.

The young Anthony Joshua spent time in his camp,

learning from the master.

But since Klitschko's shock defeat to Britain's Tyson Fury,

the former champ is now the challenger.

Anthony is his route back to the top, via a £30 million mega fight.

Thanks to everyone who's turned out today,

it's a pleasure to be here and it's a pleasure to be involved with a

fight, I believe, is the biggest fight in British boxing history.

I'm fighting a man that I...

..was, is and would be a fan of.

We had plenty of rounds during sparring sessions 2014,

when Anthony was my sparring partner.

I believe this man has a lot of skills, but how's he going to feel

if he's going to get hit again, again, and again, again and again?

Considering your opposition so far,

do you feel that this could be too much, too soon?

I'm here for a reason and I'll handle business the same way I've

been handling business. The objective still remains the same and

that's to be victorious.

I think it's the perfect time for both of us.

In three years, he's going to be too good and I'm going to be too old,

maybe, but this is the time and we just got it in the right time and

it's definitely a signature fight for boxing.

OK, we're going to pose for some photos - if you guys come up.

Just the two fighters please, first.

-Yeah.

-OK.

Face each other first, please, gentlemen.

CAMERAS CLICK

OK, thank you, gentlemen.

-Good, see you in Cologne.

-Be safe.

Picture, please. Thank you so much, man.

Yeah? How's everything going?

Good, man, I love you, man.

Swear down. Swear down.

-Are we in a rush?

-Little bit of a rush, yeah.

I'm a man of the people, bro.

Do it quickly.

-Where you from?

-Watford.

JOSHUA SQUEALS

-Watford, yeah?

-Thank you.

-He's a personal photographer, him.

Shall I come the other side?

-ANNOUNCER:

-'Ladies and gentlemen, we present Anthony Joshua.'

Take care, yeah?

MUSIC PLAYS

Born in Watford to Nigerian parents,

Anthony Joshua's teenage life nearly ran off the rails.

But the boxing gym proved his saviour.

In 2009, he was held on remand in Reading Gaol.

By 2012, he'd won gold at the London Olympics.

And his professional career is flying.

Oh, that right hand...

The right hand lays him out.

Beautifully timed by Anthony Joshua.

Fucking hell!

LAUGHTER

That's what the fuss is about.

Articulate, handsome, explosive,

the public flocked to see him fight.

But as his fame grows, his friends help him stay humble.

Eddie Hearn - more than a promoter - he guides AJ's career in the ring.

-Pleasure. Absolute pleasure.

-He makes the fights happen.

Freddie Cunningham, Anthony's manager.

Leon Skinner, AKA, Skins, the life and soul of the crew.

Ben Ileyemi, the cousin who introduced Josh to the gym.

And David, known as KD, or King, Anthony's right-hand man.

Our cameras have been with Anthony Joshua for two years,

offering an intimate insight into the life of a fighter.

The journey to Klitschko starts here at the O2 Arena.

A British title fight against an old foe, Dillian Whyte.

Me and Dillian have got history from 2009.

We boxed as amateurs and it was my third fight. He was experienced,

he was a better fighter than me at the time, so he did beat me,

but he was always talking, like,

"You may have won your gold medal but just remember that we're waiting

"round the corner for you when you turn pro."

And then I would bite back now and again on social media and I think

it was time to settle it fair and square.

Ladies and gentlemen,

let's get ready to rumble!

I spoke to you both in the dressing room, you both know what I expect,

keep it clean, break straight away when told.

Both watch your heads in close, good luck to you both.

-Touch gloves.

-It's not always going to be clean and clinical,

sometimes you need to get down and dirty.

No matter what type of fight it is,

I'll stick it out until I can't any more.

-It was about pride.

-Seconds out, first round.

And it turned out to be a barnstormer.

I'll go and find out.

He's coming back in now.

Was that all right?

Joshua wants revenge...

..for that defeat in the amateurs.

When the bell went, I said, "Come to fight.

-"Come on, let's war."

-Joshua sticks his tongue out

at Whyte. Whyte in survival mode here already.

Talking is not good, it's an adrenaline exit.

No, I'm just telling him. I said... He threw a jab, I said, "That's shit," he threw a left hook,

I said, "You're going to have to do better than that."

When me and him come together, it's just a pub fight.

I'm not backing down from no-one.

BELL RINGS

That was Joshua hitting after the bell.

Whyte's not having any of it. Whyte's lost control.

Whyte has lost control completely. What is happening here?

Everybody's in the ring.

Are you mad?!

ALL SHOUT

Hold me back!

The second round, I got caught. It was my own fault. I tested myself.

-He shook Joshua.

-Joshua's hurt.

-Joshua's in big trouble.

Massive turnaround here. Whyte going for it.

And you just have to dig deep and find that character within yourself.

I was like... Yeah, yeah, yeah...

LAUGHTER

I was like... "Who hit me?"

-LAUGHTER

-I was like, "Shit!"

-Ding, ding, ding!

-Thank fuck for that!

Breathing hard again after that body shot.

He's being dragged into something here.

Every other round...

Bang, oh...

Bang, oh...

Bruv, I'm telling ya...

Tagged there with a beautiful right-hand counter.

Again, Joshua can't shift him.

I'm hurting him but not enough.

-Yeah.

-I kept on going, bang, bang.

So that's why I thought, "Motherfucker."

So that's why this time I went round that way.

Oh, he's got him. Finally got him. Is this the breakthrough?

I had enough power to hurt him but I was loading up too much.

And that's learning, that's why you need the rounds.

There's a grin from Whyte but the legs are betraying him. Down he goes.

It's stopped. It's over.

I never jump on the ropes and get excited after a win.

But that fight meant a lot.

I fought Dillian's fight and still beat him.

I really wanted to prove to everyone that no matter what you say,

I'm the man to be reckoned with.

March 2016,

Anthony Joshua is the British heavyweight champion.

But he still lives at home in his mum's North London flat.

And after less than three years as a pro,

an even bigger prize is on the horizon.

These are the shorts I fought in to compete for the British title.

Not too long, not too baggy, I like them quite classy.

And the red is like Klitschko.

Klitschko uses red a lot of the time.

But I went to the Arles exhibition on the weekend and I saw them old-school

shorts that were, you know, like right up their thighs,

they was in long robes,

and I've asked my designer to make a robe for me as well,

because I always do, like, the classical,

the real old-school style of fighting and so on,

so I might do something different.

I first started boxing in 2008.

November 2008, I had my first fight.

2010 was building, fighting.

'11 I was at the World Championships, Baku,

a year before the Olympics,

competing for Great Britain.

And I managed to secure myself an Olympic qualifier and a silver medal

in a real tough fight.

A few months later, you know, I'm representing the country in London.

You know, I haven't been boxing for long,

it's a bit crazy, but I manage to stand myself on the number-one podium at the Olympics

and secure the super-heavyweight Olympic championship medal.

What I done in 2012 has spurred me on to 2016.

I'm fighting for the championship belt of the world after 15 pro fights.

These belts here, as a professional, are leading me to the

heavyweight championship of the world.

Charles Martin has won the IBF world heavyweight title and chooses to

fight Joshua next.

Such is Anthony's commercial power,

the American bucks tradition and agrees to face him in London.

The winner takes all.

-Go.

-£15 on the line.

-Go.

-Let's go.

-One, two, three.

-Yes!

-'You're only as good as the company you keep.

'And the company I keep are very motivated people and they keep me in check.'

LAUGHTER

Oh, your knee!

O-o-o-h!

For heavyweight fighters, there is no upper weight limit.

No dieting, no nervous moments on the scales.

The weigh-in is a chance to show the world you're ready.

Here is the challenger, here is the champion, both undefeated.

Somebody's O has got to go!

The atmosphere this time round feels different.

-It's calm.

-There's something different in the air.

-Cos we know.

-Chilled out.

Preparation has been good.

I can't wait for our boy to handle business.

Stop pulling your hand away, bruv!

They're meant to be interlocked, bruv.

Today is the day of the IBF heavyweight championship of the world.

I woke up feeling fresh, know what I mean?

Had a great sleep, had a lovely breakfast with me and the boys.

They're like family to me.

I feel great, I feel loose.

-What one?

-Black one.

Nah. White. 'What we want to do is make it as much as a chill-out as

'possible, so you're not just sat in your hotel room on your own,

'locked away in the dark.

'You know, you just want to have fun, enjoy people's energy.

'Take it all in, recharge yourself.'

So I'll wear the white shorts, white boots, with this on top.

You know what I mean?

Black is dench, white is clean.

White? Yeah, like when you step out, black - it's a dark place anyway.

When you step out, it's just, like, "Oh, black, the usual."

When it's a white long gown and you step out,

and it's just - come out like an angel, like.

-Hands up for black.

-Hands up for black.

Hands up for black.

Hands up for white.

Nice, man.

That's nice.

CHEERING

Come on, Josh!

Seconds out, first round.

BELL RINGS

It's the coming of age of Anthony Joshua.

Joshua always starts fast.

Both of them have got rid of a lot of opponents early.

There's the right hand from Joshua.

He senses that Martin felt that.

He got him. Right hand, on the floor,

Martin looks into his corner as if to say, "What on earth was that?"

Now he's looking at the referee.

He is drawing a breath here, taking every second he can.

But Joshua has had him on the floor and there's STILL

1 minute 40 left in this second round.

And he's down again!

And Joshua on the brink here, strolls into the corner,

as if to say, "Job done".

It's over, done.

Britain has a new world heavyweight champion!

CHEERING

Emotions are going everywhere.

-Speechless.

-I don't even know what to say.

Happy, just happy.

It's crazy. Power, ridiculous.

We knew Martin weren't going to last that long.

We were thinking, obviously, round three or four, but round two...

He just caught him nicely. Too much power, number one, IBF.

How are you doing, sir? Nice to see you. How are you?

Are you well?

-It was quick, but the weeks of hard work...

-It was quick.

How's things on your side?

-All good.

-Good man, good man, good man.

-Did you enjoy?

-Yeah.

-Do you come to many boxing events?

-No, first time.

-First time?

I came for you.

Firstly, we'll have a round of applause

for the new heavyweight champion of the world.

IBF heavyweight champion of the world -

how does that settle on your ears?

IBF heavyweight champion of the world?

Quarter of the way there, man.

Nice. All right.

Oh, my days, cuz.

The new champion attracts ever greater media interest.

Anthony joins up with his friend, Watford footballer Troy Deeney,

for a TV shoot.

It's time to talk history.

OK, so everyone's phones are on silent, please.

Everyone's got their phones on silent.

Thank you.

OK.

OK, and when you're ready. Thanks, guys.

This was a tribute to Ali, right, if I remember correctly?

-That's right.

-I didn't know, it's a little bit of snakeskin.

-You know how we do.

-TROY LAUGHS

These are the actual gloves.

I fought Charles Martin as well, so if you need these,

these are going for about 500 a pop.

I could give you these for your memorabilia room.

THEY LAUGH

Retro, innit? I like it.

-I can see some proper gold there.

-Yeah.

It looks like it's been used, it hasn't just been put in a case.

I went to train with the former world champion, Klitschko,

and he was telling me he put his gold medal

-in the Ukrainian museum.

-OK.

A lot of people keep it locked away in his personal possessions,

but he's put his out there, so when people go there from his home town,

they can see what he achieved and say, "You know what,

"I want to go on to do what he has," and so on and so forth.

I know what this represents - my good days.

When I was younger, I was still smoking, I was still partying.

I was getting in trouble, I was having court cases

and I carried on bricklaying.

And this was the time when I was thinking,

"What am I going to do with myself?"

So, obviously, I found boxing

cos I was boxing at the time when I was on bail.

I was boxing cos my cousin took me.

I remember once, I got an opportunity to go to Vegas to fight,

-and it was like... I was telling my site manager...

-Yeah.

"Listen, I'm going to go to Vegas.

"I'll be back in two weeks. Sweet, I'll see you in two weeks."

And he was like, "No, you're not here and you're not getting paid,

"then someone else can come in and take your job,

"so, listen, you choose what you're going to do,"

and I ended up going to Vegas.

The old punching machine, eh?

There we go.

797.

Can we just do some keepy-uppies or something like this?

Oh, yeah?

-He got nervous!

-I was like, "No!"

795? I'm happy with that.

I can take a 15% loss to you.

-Oh, my!

-I think he's broke it.

Hey, I actually think he's broke it!

The world of the champ is changing.

With fame comes a taste of life in the fast lane.

Right here, we've got some snakeskin leather.

This ain't no ordinary leather.

These rugs are imported all the way from Africa, you know,

straight off a lion's back, so this ain't no ordinary rug,

so if you don't mind, remove your shoes.

Anthony! Anthony!

There aren't many household names left in boxing,

but in a few short years, Anthony's profile has exploded.

The public, media, brands all want a piece of AJ.

But it's part of the game and he takes it all in his stride.

And back to the left, Anthony, please.

Hi, you all right? Nice to meet you.

-How's things, mate?

-Good, just finished training.

I was saying to Andy,

"Mate, we've got a week before the shoot

"and he's posting pictures of him eating apple pie and ice cream."

I'm like, "What's going on?"

-You guys can do all the Photoshop, right?

-LAUGHTER

You can change stuff for me.

A computer can only do so much, you know what I mean?

You are the first British man to be on our cover twice within 12 months.

Serious? We're making history.

If I was a photographer, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Cos he took some really nice pictures.

This ain't just for me, this is, like, for boxers after.

If there was no Ali, there would be no me.

So it is good to do these things, 100%,

but it definitely has, like, a good knock-on effect

in my industry and stuff as well.

It's not just about me.

Look at that, look at that.

Amazing.

'Character's important.

'Being in front of the camera so much,'

if it's all fake, people will soon figure out.

You know what I mean? So, just be yourself, man.

Amazing! Amazing! Hold it.

Look at that, look at that. Magic.

A few more.

One more time. Try and keep your legs straight.

A close-up?

'I don't find it so bizarre because I'm really tuned in

'to what they're trying to achieve.'

Lean back on the wall.

'These guys are here to do a job.

'They're catering for what they need, what I need,

'so I appreciate what they're doing.'

-Thank you, everybody.

-APPLAUSE

The only time it gets a bit hard is if you're tired, that's all.

Other than that, it's good, it's fun.

This is going to be a tough edit.

That looks good, too. That's cool.

That smile, man!

Such a good guy.

Thank you.

Don't leave him hanging.

All good.

Did you guys get what you needed?

Just two months after winning the world heavyweight title,

Anthony already has a new fight to promote,

with a little help from Hollywood star The Rock.

-Champ.

-What's going on?

-Good to see you, brother.

-Good to see you.

-All right, good to see you.

Champion of the world, big fight coming up.

-June 25th.

-June 25th.

-First title defence.

-First title defence, right.

-Against another American guy.

What's going to be your strategy for the fight?

I want to share a little bit with you guys.

-I'm not going to share everything, but...

-Yeah.

-Some of the most important tactics of how to defeat Breazeale.

-Yeah.

I'm going to have to come in slipping, feinting.

You want to stay off the line so shots can be slipping past you,

so imagine you throw a jab...

Another jab.

And then you're in.

A pleasure, brother. Thank you for having fun.

God bless you and have a great fight.

Big Showtime partnership, first time in the States.

He is the man.

-How's things, anyway?

-Everything's good, yeah, everything is good.

It's like...

-You did?

-Yeah, man.

-When?

-Seven months ago.

-Wow, ours is six and a half.

-Joseph.

-Joseph.

And your baby girl's name?

-Jasmine.

-Jasmine.

-Yeah.

-And your...

-Simone. Yeah.

You're going to find with Joseph...

Back to business -

a first defence of his new title against American Dominic Breazeale.

Two gruelling 12-week training camps back-to-back have taken their toll.

But in boxing, there are no excuses.

Joshua has a fight to win.

-You're killing me, Doc.

-What are you all doing in here?

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-What you got for me, boy?

You know, I went to Burberry and got some stuff, you know.

You got some Burberry?

I bought some Hugo Boss pants.

LAUGHTER

-These are for JJ?

-Yeah, bro.

-My G!

11pm - what time you going to be done?

Man, I will sleep.

We're getting up again, training at six o'clock in the morning.

Relax.

That shit crazy.

That man shows me respect in Sheffield, you know.

I told you, bruv, when you're out of Sheffield...

Down here, it's a different thing.

Another fight just 12 hours away, but the team keep it light.

-HE RAPS:

-When I get shifty, I start biting my nails

Never been an informer, never told tales

And I roll with four black males Try to lock us in separate jails

You ask me should I phone my phone cos...

Back on the beat...

Back on the street, Man don't know, I'm back on the eat

What can I have? Porridge and eggs.

Yo, I'm going to knock off Dominic's head

He don't want to come around here and get loud

I'm going to box him right in his mouth

Dominic come on the stage and I'm like, "Shut your mouth"

OK, coming around the way

I don't give a damn what you've got to say

Back in the ting, 02 again

It's a lion's den, bring all of your friends

Make sure you get it quick

Cos the tickets are selling out quick

If you don't come, make sure you order it

On TV, on pay-per-view, view...

THEY LAUGH

THEY CHEER

Ready?

Which way are we going?

Breathe, relax, breathe, breathe, breathe.

We arrived, it's all chilled out.

The time goes on.

We don't get nervous.

-Never.

-Cool, calm, collected.

We're ready. The time's going to come,

we're all going to the KO show.

It doesn't work.

Ooh, I don't know.

Fold it up and hold it forward.

No, just one person, isn't it?

One person holds the belt.

-The whole way?

-Yeah.

'Walking into the arena, I feel chilled,

'and there's no turning back.

'I'm just going to walk forward with a smile on my face

'and not worry about anything.'

Let's get ready to rumble!

'The nerves kick in for me when I step in the ring.

'Every fight can be your last fight.

'And every fight's a risk.'

A member of Anthony's entourage films the fight from ringside,

providing a closer look at the reality of life in the ring.

-CORNERMAN:

-Hands up!

-CORNERMAN:

-Yes!

Yes!

CHEERING

CHEERING

'You train for, like, three months'

and then I had two weeks off, which was work.

It weren't even like I was chilling out with the family,

then straight back in camp.

So to get Dominic out of there was a relief,

that I can finally have a bit of rest.

-PHOTOGRAPHERS:

-Josh!

-Josh!

'He needs a long rest now.

'Just go and sit on a beach with his mates'

and mess around because he's been absolutely relentless.

Fucking hell!

I've not seen him this happy after a fight,

not because of his performance, but cos he knows it's over

and he knows now that he can have his rest

and it's much, much, much needed.

Time for some fun...

Woohoohoo!

..Rio-style.

Anthony heads to the Olympics,

mixing work...with pleasure.

The best man!

Anthony and his team have learned from experience

that rest and relaxation between fights is key.

But playtime is over

and the serious business is about to start.

A second defence of his title...

..with one interested observer ringside.

-WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO:

-'It's great to be back.

-COMMENTARY:

-Joshua, like a predator, is going hunting

and he's going.. Right hand flattens Eric Molina!

He is slumped in his own corner.

-WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO:

-This is a huge fight.

-EDDIE HEARN:

-Tonight is as good a time as any to announce what's next.

I'd like to officially announce

Anthony Joshua against Wladimir Klitschko

at Wembley Stadium on April the 29th

for the unified heavyweight championship of the world.

'I do enjoy the place where I'm at as a challenger

'because I have to do more,

'instead of just defending the titles.'

Do you want to see a big fight?

CHEERING

I don't hear you.

LOUDER CHEERING

'I just have this one shot,

'one kill.'

12 weeks till Klitschko -

time to head to camp.

But, first, there's somebody Anthony wants to see.

This morning, we're here to meet Sean Murphy, a close friend

and the guy who started me off boxing in 2008.

I know this place like the back of my hand.

I used to come running round here

and right now, we've got a little surprise for Sean

so I'm just heading down to the boxing gym.

What's up there, Sean?

-Are you all right, mate?

-I'm tired.

-I can't be too noisy in the day.

-Huh?

I'm not a morning person.

You're up every morning early.

Every morning.

-How are you?

-I'm all right.

I don't know what it was about him.

He was a very happy-go-lucky sort of fella.

He was just laughing all the time.

I thought he was on crack or something.

-ANTHONY LAUGHS

-Sean, shut up! Get on the bag!

Stop talking!

I would come in here and think it's a social club.

I did my boxing, but I still had a laugh with the boys and that

and this is where I learned discipline,

where you have to forget your ego

and listen to instructions if you want to achieve something.

Sam who's just coming in, Sam Patrick,

-that was Josh's training partner.

-He's seen me in my reckless days

when I was smoking.

And then boxing really helped me get on the straight and narrow.

Keep your chin down, mate.

You know, deep down, I'm a shit boxer, innit?

Deep down, I'm the shit...

I still ain't got a Scooby-Doo.

I've just been blagging it the whole time.

Your mum rang me up once.

I don't know if I've ever told you this or she might have told you.

Do you remember you was coming for a little while?

-Yeah.

-And then, all of a sudden, you disappeared.

Remember what I said to you?

"Whatever you are doing, it is not legal.

"You have got to stop it now.

"If you want to get serious and you want to box,

-"you have got to stop it now and sort yourself out."

-Focus, yeah.

This is Klitschko.

-That's Klitschko there?

-Yeah.

THEY LAUGH

I've got something for you in the car, as well, Sean.

Look at that.

-Finchley ABC, Sean... What the fuck, man?

-That's your motor.

-This is your life.

-Fuck off.

-I'm serious.

-Honestly?

Yeah, man.

I'd be scared to drive it.

There's a little contract on it that you can't sell it in six weeks.

HE LAUGHS

I remember Josh saying to me a long time ago, "I'll look after you,"

but you don't expect it.

Him just winning the world title is enough for me.

Do you know what I mean?

Josh, somebody's going to have to show me how to fucking start it.

These guys will always have their doors open for me, no matter what.

What have we got to do with this?

When it's all said and done I'll never forget who's been there when no-one was.

Forward. Push it forward.

SEAN LAUGHS

I can't believe him, man. He's too nice.

-Thank you.

-Come on, it's all good.

Inside I'm fucking jumping up and down, you know what I mean?

Don't worry about nothing. This is just something off my own chest. There will be a lot more to come.

Don't worry about that.

I was fucked before boxing, man.

Trust me, man.

Right, lads, this is Sheffield, innit?

We've got two sessions back-to-back early.

I like my rest, so I need to start earlier so I can get back earlier.

For me, it's now I'm fighting Wlad,

everything that I've done over the last three years

has kind of built me up till now.

I've found out who I am, what I need to do, what works, what don't work,

and I just put it into action now.

-Straight in?

-Give yourself a minute?

No-one tells me what I have to do.

No-one puts a gun to me saying you have to be a boxer.

It's my choice.

HE GROANS

-Five or six?

-One more, one more. Six.

HE GROANS

Perfect, mate.

Hoo!

Every morning you wake up, you have to give a bit of yourself to the gym.

HE GROANS

Come on, three more.

This is reality. This is where the hard work gets put in.

Two more, mate. Big squeeze in the back. One more.

Sheffield's where it's at right now.

No-one disturbs me.

I've trained at home, it's not a problem, but when I weigh 'em up,

getting away from home balances out a bit better for my discipline and stuff like that.

HE GRUNTS

Going into 2011 is when I came up here.

A lot of good fighters pass through Sheffield on the amateur system to

make their journey through to become world champions.

It's phenomenal. It's a phenomenal place and I wouldn't change it for the world.

HE GROANS

Just trying to embrace the hard work and the fun of it.

I'm done with the complaining.

It's painful,

don't get me wrong, but...

I've got to enjoy it.

No stresses, no stress.

HE GROANS

Rest, well done.

Now you're done.

So, now...eat, chill out for a bit, half an hour.

Hour nap and I get back in the gym again.

Then do some sparring.

This ain't easy.

HE LAUGHS

What's happening, people?

A day in a life of AJ.

Welcome to the crib.

This is how we live. Excuse the messy rooms but it's real life.

Here we have my homeboy,

King David.

He comes to camp with me.

So I've got my food already ready for the day.

It's just been cooked so I'm letting it cool down.

Got some beef here, got some pasta,

got some boiled eggs.

It's not paradise but I think for me right now when I'm in training

camp, it keeps my feet on the ground.

I'm just here to do a job and I just need somewhere,

anywhere to rest my head and this is perfect for me right now.

If it rains, we are fucked.

It's a long ring walk, as well.

It's going to take him four, five minutes, total.

If it's pouring with rain...

We go straight down there.

Yeah. Straight from here to the ring.

The ideal plan is he goes under the stage, comes up.

You have those flaming letters.

I always think of lasers.

He doesn't want to do lasers.

-Really?

-No.

-They always look good.

Klitschko doesn't like lasers.

The core group and the core team has been exactly the same for years now.

Does he know his music yet?

See if I can get him on Skype.

He looked at us, we were 28, 29, 31, the main guys around him.

Everyone looked, going, "You're a bit young."

And he said, "Yeah, you are, but you guys are going to learn."

Can you help on Skype for two secs?

SKYPE RINGTONE

Mate, you've got to get in shape if you're going to beat Klitschko.

THEY LAUGH

I've just got a bit of a tan, mate.

How's the operation running, guys?

THEY LAUGH

I've never seen a man take something in his stride more. Like, anything.

How's it all going?

Not too bad. I had a good rest this weekend.

Listen to this, I was in the gym yesterday and some old guy came up to me and was like, "Oh,

"I was in Wembley with my wife and your face came across the LED screen."

And he goes, "You looked like you had seen better days, mate."

THEY LAUGH

I swear to you, he said, "That picture don't do you no justice."

THEY LAUGH

Change that.

From the day that we started working with him, just as he turned

professional, he's the same Anthony Joshua.

Let's talk about your ring walk music.

Have you had any thoughts?

Honest, I haven't.

The landscape has changed and there are sponsors and there are TV ads but he's the same man.

The weigh-in could be at Wembley Arena.

It could be, like, nine or 10,000 people.

Do we charge £1 entry for charity?

-If you could do that, that's really good.

-There's charities

-linked to boxing.

-Yeah, something like that. Or even if you had a charity box on entry.

-Yeah.

What you see is what you get.

A hard-working guy who's made it from the bottom all the way to the top.

I'll take you on a little tour around the crib.

Looks quite nice in there.

These chairs ain't no ordinary chairs, these are vintage chairs.

THEY LAUGH

We talk a lot, generally about rubbish, just laughing.

But camp is a dark, horrible place and he needs that release sometimes.

Look at it. This is my inspiration right here.

It's even got "champ" written on it!

THEY LAUGH

You can imagine he gets off that call speaking to us and he feels good again, he feels refreshed.

Thank you for your time.

Peace, see you later.

Bye, all the best.

See you later, bye.

God, he's so arrogant, that guy.

Oh, shit, sorry, mate, sorry!

THEY LAUGH

See you later.

You lot...

INDISTINCT

-It's a tough fight.

-Yeah.

-Tough fight.

This is Klitschko's 29th world title fight.

This is Anthony Joshua's 19th fight.

It's the young lion.

And one of the legends of the heavyweight division.

Can Joshua handle the power?

Can Joshua deal with the experience?

Klitschko has been unbelievable.

Sparring, great footwork, looked really good, fresh, happy.

That's why, when everybody sits down in their seats at Wembley Stadium,

when everybody's on their armchair at home waiting for that first bell to ring,

no-one knows what's going to happen.

BELL RINGS

Second session of the day.

Probably get in around ten rounds of sparring.

Nothing tight.

BELL RINGS

Too square, Josh. Come on, relax a little bit.

'I've been out of the ring for a couple of months and then it's like I come in as a complete novice.'

-Too tight.

-'My timing's out.'

Legs and feet, balance, upper body.

Elbows in.

He's just starting to get his sharpness back,

he's starting to get a bit of a rhythm back.

So when you throw a jab or a straight shot, if you fall in or rush it,

they'll catch you with a hook. Do it again, come on.

'If it was easy, I'd come in four weeks before my fight and just punch a bag,

'pads, and I'd be ready, but it's not that simple.'

Good, and again.

'Over time at the camp, you start improving and getting it right.'

Well done, good, good, that was a good a finish, that was.

By fight time, you just do stuff naturally.

You'd won't even know that you've slipped that and thrown it.

Keep on plugging away week in, week out, and by fight week,

I should be sharp and ready.

Good, that's a nice shot. And again.

'Anthony's greatest strength is his belief.'

Good, nice, now even smoother and sharper.

He'll go as far as you tell him he could go and he'll give it everything.

'It's a fascinating fight because Klitschko has been the dominant heavyweight for so long.

'You could question if he is the force he was after Fury beat him.'

-Where's my defence?

-Sorry.

'One loss doesn't suddenly make you a bad fighter.'

Right hand.

All right, I'll get it.

'We've seen it time and time again where somebody's

'had a loss and then came back even better than they were and they'd learned from that.'

Right hand? Good.

'This is a real test.'

BELL RINGS

Do another one.

Just watch you don't tighten up.

Don't hold your breath. Relax.

Relax, keep off the line.

Nice and composed.

OK? Nice and relaxed.

-It's not a race.

-OK.

Nice and calm.

From Sheffield to Klitschko's back yard.

The Ukrainian is now based in Germany and interest there is huge.

It's a final chance to promote the fight.

Anthony, welcome to Cologne.

So, you are the champion.

What is your plan in Wembley?

To, naturally,

let everything I've been practising in training camp happen.

In Germany,

you're out really early, you've come straight from Sheffield last night,

had a busy week in camp.

Got the press conference later.

With Wladimir. Wladimir Klitschko.

Do you think that Klitschko is a little bit frightened of this fight?

No. And he's had a long break.

Maybe it's done him good, maybe it hasn't.

What are you eating there?

You're not telling me the secrets.

Are you saying that my T-shirt is too slim?

Anthony is not just a young

person who is coming up in his shadow.

It's like really stay hungry.

I'm eating too much right now.

HE LAUGHS

This is the stage of the fight where it's all about the mind.

This is the mind game, period.

I believe this fight is going to be the most important fight in my career.

I am obsessed with my goal to become three-time world champion.

Anthony Joshua.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

There's only two men fighting against each other.

There is no other things that can help you.

It's all about you.

I don't think I'll crumble, I think I'll rise to the occasion.

Pressure, I'll turn it into a positive.

Experience is something that you cannot just write off.

If it's experience, I have lost already.

I'm not the finished article but I know where I'm going.

-Good to see you, man.

-Good to see you.

-Say hello to your brother, as well.

-Yes.

Camp is almost over.

Anthony Joshua stands at the crossroads of his young career.

He has travelled the road to Wladimir Klitschko and is just a few weeks

away from his ultimate test.

I feel I'm confident.

When you first come into camp,

you're not fit but I'm feeling better about myself.

We knew this was the level that he's going to reach and I'm not nervous

cos I see the work that goes in.

-Keep it long.

-Keep it long, yeah?

'The world's watching and AJ is going to deliver.

'He's incredibly fast, he's incredibly strong.

'Seriously powerful and very talented.

'Klitschko will have to be something special at this stage in his career to send Anthony off.'

Beautiful. And again.

I didn't think we was ever going to meet but now we are competing,

he's just another man that's in the way of where I'm trying to go.

He's got something to prove, he says he's obsessed with winning, so

mentally, he seems strong and I think I should be fighting the best

Klitschko, which is good for me because, when I beat him,

there'll be no complaints.

'This is the most riskiest, most dangerous sport you could ever find

'and anything could happen.

'In heavyweight boxing, someone lands a shot, it's all over.

'It doesn't mean you're not good enough,

'doesn't mean you've got a weak chin.

'It's just heavyweight boxing.'

Feeling all right?

'It's a lonely sport.

'It's all good to have a laugh and joke and walk to the ring with 15 people

'but ultimately everyone steps out and it's just left down to you and your opponent.

'It's just me and him.'

'We know he's an elite fighter.

'Can he go on and be a great?'

BELL RINGS

Klitschko is a man who is quite tall, uses his height well,

dips his chin rather than his whole torso.

He likes to stay relaxed and manoeuvre his opponent with the left hand,

like a smokescreen, and he keeps you at bay.

Stay there, stay there, stay there, bang.

Hoping for the knockout.

With someone like Klitschko, just stay off the line.

Little head movement. And off the line, I mean, if there's the line there,

stay off it. Speed is key.

Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.

Put your combos together and if you are that quick, as they come,

bam, bam, bam, bam, you meet them and stop them in their tracks.

It's not all guns and brawl, baby.

HE LAUGHS

Or good looks.

HE LAUGHS

# I'm ready

# You hear that? Yo, I'm ready

# Yeah, I'm talkin' to you Are you ready?

# Cos I'm ready

# Yo, are you ready?

# Yeah, cos I'm ready

# Yo, I'm ready

# Are you ready?

# Well, I'm ready

# Are you ready?

# Yo, I'm ready. #