Watford’s WBA, IBF and WBO king defends his titles against Mexican slugger Andy Ruiz Jr tonight in New York after weeks away from his toddler JJ.
Anthony Joshua says he often calls his son JJ, but he is too intrigued with games on the phone to talk to his dad
Joshua is taking on California-born Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr in New York on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
Joshua, 29, took his training camp to Miami to help secure a US debut win – sacrificing time with his son.
But when AJ calls home, his lad is too intrigued with the games on the phone to engage with his old man.
Joshua joked: “I Facetime JJ a lot, but he is so young and so loved by the big family around him that he’s happy.
“I have been going away from home from such a young age, so I don’t really feel the pain of missing people.
“I prefer to remember the people I have to get back to and I know that when I do get back I’ll dedicate myself to making up for the time away.
“This is the time of my life where I need to travel for work and it’s the time of JJ’s life where he just needs attention and love, and he has that.
“I only really need to say ‘hello’ to JJ because he doesn’t really want to talk to me – he just wants to play games!”
AMERICAN DREAM
If Joshua beats Ruiz, also 29, it will be his first professional win on American soil – and could bank him a career-best £18million.
The last time he boxed in the States he was an amateur and his money-making s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s left a lot to be desired.
The 2012 Olympic golden boy explained: “I came to Las Vegas in 2010 as an amateur and the night before my fight, my coach caught me and my cousin Ben gambling.
“We thought the coaches had gone up to their rooms for the night so we thought, ‘Let’s get down there and play some roulette’. It was a good trip, though, I stopped the guy.”
AJ’s career began as an 18-year-old and he explained: “In November 2008 I had my first fight. In 2009 I boxed the Haringey Cup and the Novices.
“In 2010 I went to Las Vegas, had the Team GB championships and the ABAs and Europeans.
“In 2011 I had the world championships and then 2012 was the Olympics — and in 2013 I turned pro. It’s just been ongoing but I have never boxed in New York.”
‘I KNOW WHAT HE IS ABOUT’
Ruiz’s cuddly physique has led to criticism from fans who are overlooking his amateur pedigree and 32-1 record.
But the California-born Mexican has vowed to stun Joshua and take the battle to him in the middle of the ring.
That is music to AJ’s ears as he insists he will throw the caution he showed in the tense September win over Alexander Povetkin to the wind.
Joshua said: “When the bell rings, he will jab to my body and my head, probably feint a left hook, but I will not be as cautious as I was against Povetkin.
“I was more cautious then because he is a counter-puncher, while Ruiz throws a lot of punches.
“I know what he is about, I have watched a lot of his fights and I don’t think he counter-punches. He punches in bunches.
“He says he wants a war, he never lets you rest.”
Joshua was all smiles as usual with the media on Monday and the fans at his public workout on Tuesday.
He said: “I have met some class people along the way and we have some laughs. It’s been some journey and that is the fun of it.
“I wanted to be the best in Britain, then the best in Europe, the world and the Olympics and then the pros.
“But I am not really interested in all the titles – I am in it for the fun.”
