Youth watching just highlights on Net is killing sports

At 113kg and standing tall at an imposing 6 ft 6 inch (1.98cm), Anthony Joshua - popularly known as AJ - towers above one and all. Surprisingly though, for his strapping stature, the British boxer doesn't really come across as fearsome as, say, Mike Tyson. In fact, he could be termed a gentle giant for his boy-next-door looks.

His biceps look intimidating though and with a reach of 82 inches it is best to maintain a distance. Yet, when you approach him for a one-on-one interview, he makes you feel completely at ease.

That is exactly what happened when Khaleej Times met the 28-year-old heavyweight champion at the Burj Al Arab.

Joshua is in Dubai to promote the inaugural Dubai Fitness Challenge. His mantra for all those who want to stay healthy and fit is simple - Mind, Body and Fun.

"As sportsmen we train our bodies to be in the greatest condition possible. So there are times when you need to relax the mind so I come from that side of the lifestyle. I decided to come here and interact with the people of this beautiful city, where I would like to come here a billion times. I'm gonna give my inputs during this Challenge and incorporate a few things like Mind, Body and Fun," said the current WBA and IBF champion while adding that he would love to fight in Dubai.

"Nowadays people - mainly the youth - want to watch boxing, or for that matter any other sport, on youtube or on videos and that too only highlights," said the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.

"Times have changed," he said, when asked to compare the eras of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. "I feel even my generation is the last to know of the Sugar Ray Leonards, the Muhammad Alis and the Mike Tysons and that's because it's all on Twitter and FB," added Joshua who beat Wladimir Klitschko to send the Ukrainian into retirement.

"Unless adults don't spend time with the youth, they (the youth) won't know about the history of boxing," he added.

Joshua's next bout is next year in March or early April and his opponent, in all probability, could be Deontay Wilder.

The American has thrown down the gauntlet to the British boxer by saying he is running scared, but the Watford-born Joshua, fresh from his win over Frenchman Carlos Takam, has said he is up for the challenge.

"When you look at the dates in April you have an opportunity for a Wembley Stadium fight and I always say Stadium fight demands tough opponents." Joshua said he didn't know yet who his next opponent would be. The focus was then shifted to the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor bout and what he thought about it as most critics had panned it.

I feel when all your options have run out in your field you can run into another. Very soon you might find professional boxers fighting in UFC. I think Mayweather and McGregor have broken that boundary and have given us a whole lot of options.

"But, as of now, boxing is fun for me. I like to connect with people, support people, do more charity-based stuff. I have put myself in a position to tell people my story. And, God willing, I would like to carry on in the ring for another 10 years . Inshaallah," he signed off.

Source: Khaleej Times