Anthony Joshua labelled, Mike Tyson, a heavyweight ‘boss’ and said the boxing legend ‘lived it from day one’.
Tyson in 1986 became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, knocking out Trevor Berbick aged just 20.
He then spent years terrifying the division, well and truly living up to his self-proclaimed ‘Baddest Man on The Planet’ nickname.
In an advert for fashion label Hugo Boss, former unified champ Joshua, 32, credits Tyson, 55, for his iconic career.
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He said: “I like Mike Tyson. He embodied the discipline of a boss, which actually made him one of the greatest heavyweights ever.
“He didn’t wait to get there. He lived it from day one.”
Joshua for a long time was the boss of the heavyweight division, previously holding the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
But he insisted there is no shortcut to success, other than following the basics with dedication and commitment.
Joshua said: “My coach says it in boxing, ‘If you follow your A, B and C, it will lead you to the KO’.
“If you go about the mindset of a boss, follow the principles of a boss – work ethic, discipline, helping, teamwork.
“Follow your As, Bs and Cs and in boxing it will lead to KO and in business it will lead to the ultimate boss.”
Joshua last fought in September when he was dethroned by Oleksandr Usyk, 35, over 12 rounds.
He has exercised his right to an immediate rematch, but Usyk has also been in talks to unify his belts with Tyson Fury’s WBC version in the Middle East.
It complicates matters as Fury, 33, is mandated to fight WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, 33, next.
Meanwhile Usyk owes AJ a contracted rematch, meaning Joshua and Whyte would need to receive a step aside fee.
It is believed both have been offered a deal to sit out, to allow Fury and Usyk to fight in the first-ever, four-belt heavyweight unification.
But in a recent social media post, Joshua denied ever agreeing to a reported £15m deal.