By Terence Dooley

Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) defends his IBF World, WBA Super World, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 early) at Wembley Stadium on Sky Sports PPV on Saturday night in what he hopes will continue to be a long run of fights and victories. 

As fight night draws near, the 28-year-old has revealed that he has also looked at another sportsman in a different sport for tips on how to best look after himself and prolong his career.

“Cristiano Ronaldo did a body test,” he said when speaking to Gareth A Davies of The Daily Telegraph.  “He is 33, but has the body of a 21-year-old.  You have to preserve your body.”

Joshua also revealed that he has taken on scientific advice from experts in order to ensure that he makes the most out of his peak years in the sport before retiring with his legacy and brain cells intact.  “I could go in there and knock out Povetkin in a round or two, but then there is the eight weeks of intense sparring, doing 200 rounds, you have to protect your body,” he said.

He added: “I am learning to adjust my life.  When I watched a Pacquiao documentary, he trains when his body is ready.  It looks lazy, but you're still getting the same amount of work done and in a better way.” 

“For a British fighter, Anthony is by far the most advanced in terms of training facilities or what he does,” added promoter Eddie Hearn when speaking about why Under Armour, one of Joshua’s sponsors, laid on lab sessions for his fighter.  “These scientists looked at his sleep and rehab.  Joshua's drive is the challenge to improve himself.”

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