ANTHONY JOSHUA

Sleeping is like meditation: it's good to rest the body but also to shut the mind down for a bit.

My mum and dad aren't together, but she plays a massive part in my life. We have deep conversations: I tell her where I need support, where I feel she's lacking, and I support her with whatever she needs. I understand she won't be here forever, and I want no regrets.

This is boxing, not tennis. Everyone likes a bit of rivalry, it makes for a good fight.

Cardio is a nice way to start the morning, man. Whether you sit on the bike for half an hour or throw on two jumpers and just sweat, it's good to get up, get the body active, put on your headphones, and just pedal away.

I know every fight could be my last fight, and if that happens, that's not just a health issue, but I'll be knocked off that king's stool.

Sportsmen just do what they do. I'm not trying to be a role model. If there's any inspiration people can take from me, take as much as you can - from my good and my bad.

It's not so much about conquering Madison Square Garden or Vegas. The opponents who I fight will take me all around different venues and arenas. I need to conquer opponents.

I know if I don't look after myself, I will be talking to you in a couple of years' time mumbling my words and slurring. It won't be because I am drunk: it will be the fighting, taking blow after blow to the brain. That scares me. I don't worry about being killed in the ring; it's losing my mind that I fear.

You're confident, you're going to the ring to fight, but there's always that little thing where you're thinking, 'God.' You're nervous. But you have to embrace it and enjoy it.

Cut your arms and legs off, and you're left with a trunk, which you need to be as strong as possible. It's easier to push over someone who is tall and skinny than someone short and stocky. That's why we work everything from the calves to the neck.

Boxing is the embodiment of who I am, but beyond that, this is a journey of the self, and my obsession to get the most from this short life.

I realised that I could either fight and get into trouble on the street or I could fight and get paid in the ring. I chose the ring.

It's hard to say I don't like being famous, but how I feel is that I don't see myself as that person. It baffles me that people would want a picture with me.

When you are caught with a big shot, you don't really feel it. It's like being in a car crash, and maybe your arm has been ripped off... it is only when you look down at it that you realise it has happened.

I think towards the end of my career, I'm the man. But right now, I've still got that underdog mentality to keep on proving myself time and again. I'm not going to believe the hype.

I don't have a preferred religion - I'd have to do research. I was born a Christian, but as I've grown into my own man, I don't attach myself to a religion - 100 per cent, I have faith. Then it's locking into what suits me.

As long as you have discipline, you can be a success. Discipline is what makes you do everything you need to do.

For me to have a cheeky little biscuit, it's not going to hurt. But I need to control those indulgences. I can't just be scoffing cakes and biscuits five nights a week.

You have to speak from a place where all is possible. When you speak from a place where there's limits, you've already set yourself up to fail.

I used to drink. I didn't like reading, but I discovered the benefits of it. I read that Floyd Mayweather never drinks - and he is the blueprint for boxing.

The way I meditate is by being organised. I can get real Zen if I go home and tidy the front room.

Prayer is a method practised from ancient days, so it's very important for us to maintain a spiritual connection, something that people, gladiators would do years ago, so we're just maintaining that routine.

There's this idea that because I'm a heavyweight, I'm not supposed to be in condition, that I should take advantage of the fact that I can eat. But I train and eat well, and it shows when I step on the scales.

Religion is supposed to be a positive thing when you look at the true religions around the world, not the fundamentalists. You always have to go with what your spirit tells you, not what people advise you. I'm a man that will always follow my own path.

I don't have a strict diet; I keep it simple. I try to eat fish, meat, veg and carbs - potatoes and rice - but I'll try and pack it in because as I'm burning so much energy. I have to see food as an energy source.