As the boxing world braces itself for the highly-anticipated clash between rivals Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, 2009 still lurks on the minds of many.
Whyte connected on a two-punch combination which sent Joshua during their amateur fight, becoming the only man in Great Britain to hand the Watford-born fighter a loss.
As late as November, Joshua even admitted to regularly watching the video of his defeat to Whyte. And in September, implied that he could even lose, while a defeat would not dishearten him entirely.
It seems unusual for any fighter, let alone one with a record of 14-0 with 14 knockouts, to act like there is something of concern with his confidence coming into December 12.
This is a game.
Legendary world champion Bernard Hopkins had one of his front teeth fall out during the buildup to his megafight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2004.
When Hopkins told De La Hoya it was due to “old age,” it made the former six-division world champion more complacent, and he ultimately paid the price for it.
Whyte (16-0, 13 KO’s) indubitably has been trying to get underneath his opponent’s skin and has put his confidence on display.
Joshua, on the other hand, surreptitiously smirks. Not everyone catches it, but for those who have, they understand that underneath that smirk is anger, a beast that wants to unload.
But Joshua should be just as concerned about Whyte’s left as Whyte should be concerned about Joshua’s right.
The smile of Whyte may give the false impression that he is not taking the fight seriously, but he is playing the game just as much as his adversary.
Both men have tremendous power and have the capabilities to knock the other man out, hence ‘Bad Intentions.’
If Joshua underestimates Whyte’s preparation, he could find himself on the floor again.
Whyte has stopped his past 12 since winning three of his first four bouts on points.
If Whyte makes a strategic error, he could be waking up not knowing what just occurred.
But which one of these two men have more to prove? This is Bad Intentions with components of psychological warfare.
Tune in on Saturday, December 12, at 5:45 p.m. ET to find out whose arsenal has enough uranium to emerge with the explosive victory.
– Ryan O’Hara @OHaraSports
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