It’s fair to say Louis Theroux touched a nerve when he was interviewing British boxer Anthony Joshua last year.
As part of his BBC series Louis Theroux Interview, the 54-year-old journalist headed to the gym where Joshua, 34, began his career in north London.
Of course, the sportsman needs no introduction, having been the heavyweight champion of the world on two occasions.
And on Saturday (21 September) he is set to contest the IBF world heavyweight title when he faces Daniel Dubois, 27, at Wembley Stadium in London.
Advert
Last November, Joshua opened to Theroux about how it felt to be dealt a duo of defeats by Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk and why he decided to chuck his heavyweight belts out of the ring.
“That was an ego and pride thing coming out,” he recounted. "I brought this heavyweight division back - that was in me. Right or wrong, probably wrong.”
Clearly not believing that answer to be sufficient, Theroux persisted: "’Probably wrong, probably wrong I think’.
“I don’t think anyone says it was the right thing to do.”
Advert
Snapping back, Joshua said: "You asked me a question and I’m answering it.”
Still unsatisfied with his interviewee’s answer, Theroux attempted to delve deeper into the situation.
“You took the belts and dropped them over the side,” he prompted.
Advert
Joshua then elaborated on the situation by saying: "It was like that these don’t even mean anything anyway. I’ve thrown them because that’s what I’ve felt like and grabbed the mic, I addressed the crowd.
“Could I have done it better? Of course I could have. I felt frustrated, annoyed.
“I knew I was out of the title race and then the questions started, 'What is he like? Where is his head at?'"
The Watford-born star went on to claim his fans had created a ‘narrative’ about his success, causing him to feel insane amounts of pressure. .
Advert
“Gone are the days it was for the fun, when you’re just doing it for the passion, you’re a prospect,” AJ added.
After wrapping the documentary, Theroux described AJ as someone who - once you get past the ‘self-help inklings’ - you can see is ‘emotionally naked’ underneath.
"I think there is a lot of vulnerability and a certain amount of pain,” he alleged. “It just revolves around dialling that back and scraping away to find the more human qualities.
Advert
"I was conscious of wanting to bring my A game.
“The boxing world is a bit of a village and like a lot of villages, they are slightly suspicious about outsiders."
Riyadh Season: Joshua v Dubois is set to kick off with a stacked undercard at 4pm.
The main event ring walks are expected to commence around 9.45pm.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, BBC, Boxing, Louis Theroux, Sport, TV and Film, UK News, Celebrity
Ella Scott