Joshua: Miller is Just Another Stepping Stone To a Mega-Fight

The WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight champion defends his titles against the American at the iconic venue in New York on June 1.

The bad boy turned British boxing golden boy says he has learned lessons from the past after being riled by Brooklyn bruiser Miller at the announcement press conference earlier this year.

Joshua, 29, called out members of Miller’s team when they squared off in New York.

But the Olympic gold medallist who has gone from being on remand in Reading to becoming one of Britain’s wealthiest sports stars is confident he won’t put the fight at risk by losing his cool.

“When I’m at my best is when I’m in control,” Joshua told DAZN.

“I learn to think I’m still a threat, but I just learn to think. I’m still a threat, but now I think before I flip.

“I’m older, I’m wiser and I can take care of myself and control my emotions.

“There are so many people in jail, so many people who got themselves into sticky situations because they just couldn’t control their emotions.

“I can’t afford to get road rage, flip out and hit someone, get done for GBH. Miller says something, WHAO! boom! fight’s off because someone’s jaw gets broken.”

Joshua’s fight with Miller is his big debut in America and he will make it at a venue steeped in boxing history.

MSG has hosted some of the biggest fights in history, including the ‘Fight of the Century’ between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971.

Joshua said: “Until I had the offer to fight here, I never realised how iconic this place was.

“When I found out I was fighting at MSG, it made me zone in to what it was about. It is an iconic place, not just in terms of sport, but entertainment.

“Being amongst all these guys is one thing and I feel me and Miller have just posted our names through the post box of MSG history.

“I feel it’s how do you stamp your name along with these guys because it’s one thing being amongst it, but how do you make your stamp?

“It has to be a great fight and then I have to come back again and own the place.

“I’m definitely not going to be the home fighter. Miller will probably bring all his goons, family, friends and supporters, a whole batch of people for him.

“I’ve just got tunnel vision and not let it get to me.

“The Brits travel, but I hope there will be a lot of Americans there as well because that would show we are breaking barriers.

“I want more Americans there. I want to show we can pull in a crowd and bring boxing back.”

Joshua’s fight with Miller is believed to be another stepping stone towards an undisputed clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

But they are no closer to agreeing a deal to meet any time soon.

Joshua added: “In terms of the negotiations, they didn’t align at the time and I’ve realised I’ve said a lot of things to blame him and he’s said a lot of things to blame me.

“What I feel is we have to put the tit-for-tat aside and realise where we both went wrong in negotiations and get it right.

“It’s coming to a stage where the fans are missing out because Big Baby Miller, as much as my resume shows I beat him, I have to be serious about this guy.

“Big Baby Miller isn’t the end of the rainbow, he’s another stepping stone. I had to do Parker, then I had to do Povetkin, now I have to do Miller.

“How many steps do I have to do while I’m the champion to get my hands on these guys?

“It’s only more risks I’m taking to miss out on this mega fight and I don’t want to take too many risks.”