34 MAY 2017on an autumnal Monday evening and the IBF
heavyweight champion of the world is training
nexttoamiddle-agedwomandoing
something largely ineffectual with pink
kettlebells. Anthony Joshua looks almost
comically out of place in the quotidian
normality of this London health club. But then,
at 198cm tall and a lean 108kg, the 27-year-
old is strikingly at odds with most settings.
And that includes being in the ring, against
hapless opponents.
Right now, Joshua is just warming up. He
foam-rolls then planks and bridges – the latter
with his head on a Swiss ball to strengthen his
core and neck. Then he heads to the
pneumatic Keiser cablemachine, an esoteric
piece of kit that provides resistance via air
pressure rather than iron plates, facilitating
high-speed, low-impact training. Joshua
starts with slow rear delt flies and external
rotations to shore up his shoulders.
“I’m guessing you was expecting some spit
and sawdust gym?” he grins, readingMH’s
mind. Well, yes. You know, chalk-coated
barbells andPhenomenalby Eminem on
repeat, just like inSouthpaw...Joshua
guffaws, asMr Vainby Culture Beat pumps
out of the speakers for the second time this
session. “Don’t worry, it’s gonna get fun in
aminute.”BIG INFLUENCER
Power – the kind required to knock out 18
heavyweights in 18 fights since Joshua turned
pro after winning Olympic gold in 2012 – does
not come from heft alone. In both physics and
physiques, power is strength multiplied by
speed.AsJoshuaexecutesavarietyof
explosivepunchingmovementsand
woodchoppers, his strength and conditioning
coach, Jamie Reynolds, constantly demands
morespeed.Mid-set,Joshuastrenuously
ignores the gym-goer lingering nearby,
smartphone in hand. But as the gym-goer
turns toward the exit, Joshua stops and calls
afterhim:“Ididn’trealiseyouwereleaving.”
He smiles for the shot, his fist raised.It’s 7pm
Core strength turns
Joshua’s punches
into knockouts
waiting to land.