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'I'm a boxer, not a fighter' - Anthony Joshua tells fans ahead of battle against Nigerian brother Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.
Nigerian-born English professional boxer Anthony Joshua considers his career trajectory and the direction he wants to take his boxing.
He also acknowledges that, despite initially stating that his next fight will take place in December, he may fight again this summer.
Joshua is self-aware, unburdened, and, as he put it, "chilled" in an interview with Skysports a few weeks after making a triumphant return to the ring with a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin.
There were concerns about Joshua's strategies and lack of aggression to go for the knockout after his victory over Franklin, but those concerns may no longer exist since this Joshua is different a fighter who merely desires victory.
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Anthony Joshua on style
He said, "When you look at someone's make-up, you have to look at what their attributes are.
"I'm quite tall, I've got a long range but I'm not going to be a bruiser.
"If you look at my character, I'm not the most aggressive, outwardly type of person, I'm not a fighter - I'm more of a boxer, there's a thought process, there's a method behind the madness.
"I've always tried to develop my boxing IQ but over 12 rounds there are times where you have to fight and I want to become a box fighter.
"It's why that fight with Jermaine Franklin - I realised I was in with someone who's a counter-puncher, you throw two, they try to hit you with three - so I changed my game plan, I stuck behind my jab, used my attributes and got the win.
"I can build on that because there will be a day where just being a fighter may not work against a certain opponent.
"The man who has a plan A, B and C in his locker because he can use his jab, he can move around, he knows how to defend - I think he'll have more of a chance to be victorious on a tough night.
"I'm glad I got those rounds in the bank and I can move forward on my quest to become a full and well-rounded fighter."
Joshua on fighting next in December
Joshua shocked the boxing community by publicly stating on his Instagram that his next bout would take place in December following his victory over Franklin.
Most experts and followers predicted that Joshua will fight once more this summer.
In the interview, Joshua explained the long wait before a big fight against Deontay Wilder at the end of the year.
He added, "I'm a thinker… maybe an overthinker.
"I thought as I've changed maybe three coaches in three years, it would be good to develop and work under the guidance of my new coach and by the time I'm back in the ring, I've cemented and implemented everything he wants.
"But the only way we're going to put everything he's teaching me to the test is through fighting but rather than putting pressure on myself.
"I just wanted to draw a line in the sand and say I'm not fighting until this date.
"If I, my coach decide to change my mind… I feel I'm able to change my mind right? So I'm able to fight in July or August if I want but right now it's off the table, but we are subject to change providing my coach is happy with what he sees."
Joshua is now expected to take on Edo Man Deontay Wilder in a massive heavyweight clash this December.
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