Antony Joshua admits he learns from Katie Taylor

Such is the unique talent of Katie Taylor [12(5)-0] that even the unified heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua studies her fights for boxing tips.

The IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight title holder has admits he learns from watching the Irish sensation in action and has joined a long list of respected fight operators in lauding the Bray puncher for her skill set.

Joshua has always expressed respect for Taylor, who has had some big successes on his undercards, as a person but now admits her technique is something he has also tried to learn from and emulate.

“When I watch her, I learn from her as well,” Joshua told Sky Sports.

“Even as a champion, I watch her and think ‘I need to do something like that’.”

“She has her skills and technique down to a tee,” added the Englishman who has recently adopted the eye-catching ‘tennis ball on a string’ exercise having observed Taylor employing the method at public workouts.

Joshua, who has Irish and Nigerian heritage, was speaking ahead of his Matchroom stablemate’s bid to join him as a three belt world champion.

If Taylor overcomes Brazilian Rose Volante in Philadelphia this Friday night she will also become an IBF, WBO and WBA world titlist and would be odds on to become undisputed champion before her fellow London 2012 gold medal winner.

Indeed, the Brian Peters-managed fighter looks set to be afforded the chance to add the final belt, Delfine Persoon’s WBC strap, to her collection on the undercard of the heavyweight’s June 1st Madison Square Garden Arena clash with Jarrell Miller.

There would be a nice sense of circularity, with Taylor having won her first title on a Joshua undercard back in October 2017 and the Londoner is backing her to claim all four this summer in New York.

Joshua [22(21)-0] said that “I think for Katie and anyone who is fighting, it’s just important to be yourself. She’s definitely going to become undisputed champ.”