Brit says: “Even when I was looking at him, I was working out what shot I’m going to knock him out with”
ANTHONY JOSHUA had a bust-up with Dominic Breazeale ahead of their world heavyweight title fight next month.
The pair squared up at the Syon Park hotel in West London as their June 25 collision at the 02 Arena was officially announced.
Joshua will make first defence of his IBF Heavyweight crown against undefeated Dominic Breazeale
Joshua — who will be making the first defence of his IBF belt — admitted tempers flared, saying: “There was some elbow jostling out there.”
And American Breazeale, 30, added: “There was a bit of shoving here and there and a bit of the eye-to-eye contact stuff. It was about getting a competitive edge.”
Californian Breazeale is a 6ft 7ins former college quarter-back.
Joshua, 26, said: “He shouldn’t be here breathing heavy and staring me down because it’s not worth his time.
Joshua and Breazeale meet – before things got prickly
“I’m a respectful person and I shook his hand.
“But when I went to walk off, he was still there looking at me.
“I thought — is this guy serious? So I went back over to him.“Even when I was looking at him, I was working out what shot I’m going to knock him out with.
“I just wanted to address what the issue was. If we’re going to fight, then you shake hands and go away and train.
“If you’ve got a personal issue, make it known.
“I said ‘what is your problem?’ We’re here to fight. I’ve probably got his number already.”
Breazeale has won all 17 of his fights since turning pro in 2012.
He said: “I respect Joshua as a champ but I had to let him know that he is going to be involved in a real fight against me.
“Joshua is a big tall athletic guy but when he looks at me it is like looking in the mirror because I am built the same way.”
Londoner Joshua also announced a deal with American TV network Showtime which could mean his fights will be shown live there for the rest of his career, making him a superstar in the States