Anthony Joshua makes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi claim ahead of Povetkin fight
BOXING star Anthony Joshua has spoken out on the talent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Rashford claims Ronaldo is BETTER than Messi
Joshua is a heavyweight world champion at the top of his game and will look to defend his WBO, WBA and IBF titles at Wembley against Alexander Povetkin on September 22.
While the Brit is riding high in boxing, Ronaldo and Messi are the two best footballers on the planet.
The pair have dominated the Ballon d’Or for the past decade, each winning five titles.
Ronaldo has also lifted the Champions League for each of the last three seasons before his move from Real Madrid to Juventus.
But it’s the individual success of the pair that makes Joshua admire both Messi and Ronaldo.
“I’ve never followed a team, I’m more individual,” Joshua told Watford striker Troy Deeney for The Premier League show.
“Troy Deeney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, I love Pele.
“It’s the respect there for individual players because of the hustler mentality and that individual mentality.”
Joshua faces Povetkin as he looks to unify the heavyweight division.
Deontay Wilder holds the other belt with the American owning the WBC strap.
Wilder is expected to fight Tyson Fury before the end of the year though the bout is yet to be made official.
But former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson believes Joshua is the top dog.
“Right now, Anthony Joshua seems to be the best out of the whole lot of them,” Tyson told SecondsOut.
“He’s the stronger guy, bigger guy, more put together, more put together as far as boxing skills are concerned as well.
“I think he’s the best fighter out of the lot.”