AUSTRALIA’S Demsey McKean fears a series of recent sparring sessions against Anthony Joshua could see the British superstar dodge their proposed April showdown, revealing they proved he can KO the former champ who “isn’t as good as everybody says”.
Undefeated in all 22 fights as a professional, promising southpaw McKean has this week been outed as the No.1 contender for Joshua’s hyped return to boxing in early 2023.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from his UK base on Thursday however, McKean said while hopeful of the fight happening, he remained concerned the former champ may yet back out of the showdown.
Not only is the Ipswich product convinced he can knock Joshua cold, but stresses he is every bit the equal of a former two-time unified champion who “struggles against southpaws”.
As part of preparations for Joshua’s two most recent title fights against Oleksandr Usyk – another leftie who is now the reigning WBA, WBO and IBF king – McKean was brought into camp for sparring.
And the Queenslander fears those sessions over the past 18 months – coupled with Joshua losing both fights to Usyk – could now see the former champ refuse to fight him.
While still rating the Joshua showdown as “a 70 per cent chance” of happening, Demsey admits to “some doubts” due to their shared time in the ring.
Asked what he had learned about Joshua during their time together, the Aussie replied: “That he’s beatable.
“And isn’t as good as everyone says he is.
“Although don’t get me wrong, Anthony Joshua is a good fighter.
“A great fighter.
“And he’s up there on a pedestal.
“But for me, coming into camp with him, giving him good rounds … I know he’s no better than I am.
“Getting to share the ring with him was a real confidence boost.”
McKean also fears the fact he is a southpaw may also count against him, as it has done several times in the past.
“I’ve had a number of big fights at my fingertips — but every time they’ve fallen through because I’m a southpaw,” he continued
“It’s become the story of my life.
“I came close to a fight with Dillian Whyte, but he didn’t want to fight a southpaw and pulled out.
“I also came close to Tyson Fury as a top two pick, but he also didn’t want to fight me either.
“And again, because I’m a southpaw.
“So that’s the only thing I can see holding this Joshua fight back.
“We’re both signed with Matchroom Boxing, both with Eddie Hearn … so it’s an easy fight to make.
“We’ll have to see how it unfolds.”
Apart from being signed to Hearn, Demsey is also now based in the UK and training out of the Matchroom Boxing Gym in Essex – under the guidance of Tony Sims.
Ranked in the world top 10, his most recent win came last October against Patrick Korte – a strong third round KO to claim the IBF Intercontinental heavyweight belt.
While he would start a heavy betting underdog against Joshua, the Aussie insists he has the power, and style, capable of sending the Brit to sleep.
“There’s nothing too much between me and these top guys,” McKean stressed.
“Nothing.
“And Joshua struggles with southpaws.
“We know that.
“So maybe that will hurt the fight happening.
“Or maybe he’ll now want to go out there and get one up on a southpaw.
“Who knows?
“We’ll have to wait and see.
“Obviously Usyk and myself, we have different styles. So I can’t really try to mimic him.
“But I whack a lot harder.
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“And if Joshua walks into one of my left hooks, it definitely won’t be going to the judges.”
Speaking on TalkSport’s Fight Night boxing podcast this week, journalist Gareth Davies said Joshua’s next fight would be against McKean, most likely at London’s O2 Arena.
“Obviously it’s been leaked and people wouldn’t be saying things if it wasn’t a possibility,” the Aussie continued.
“And right now, I don’t think anyone else has been named.
“So we’ll see.
“I’m definitely happy to fight Joshua anywhere, anytime.”
