Anthony Joshua is sitting in the back seat of his brand new 

 SVAutobiography. It’s just been delivered to him on the gravel driveway of the Finchley and District Amateur Boxing Club, and the fresh leather smells like victory.

Inside the gym there’s a photograph on the wall of a young AJ — skinny, springy, hopeful. And inside the car there’s a subtle reminder of just how far that boy has come — a special crest emblazoned with the letters IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO. The real AJ, however, seems to live somewhere between the two. At some moments he’s considered, serious, philosophical. At others he gently takes the piss out of me. But mostly, of course, he’s just AJ the gentleman fighter — the nice guy who can’t stop finishing first.

When I’m training, the main thought running through my head is: Why am I here!

 Why did my cousin take me to boxing all those years ago! I could lie to you and say: “no, I don’t think that, I’m a soldier.” It is tough. But the real question you’re asking yourself is: “how great can I be?” So when you want to give up, and you think: “why am I here?”, you can either use that question as a negative or you can use it as a positive.”

I wish I had the same energy I did when I was 18.

 I’m shattered all the time now! Back then I could train, I could go out, I could run on two hours sleep. They were good times — less pressure. If I was speaking to young AJ now I would say: embrace your youth, embrace that time. I’d also say to him: look, if you’re going to have fun in your twenties, make sure you knuckle down from 30 to 40. And then, on the other end of if, if you’re going to have fun later on in life, make sure you’re ready to sacrifice your youth.”

I realise now that turning 30 was a big milestone for me.

 I took my loss, I learned more about my friendships, I reconnected with my old friends, I’ve taken up some more of my own hobbies. I’m much more organised than I was before, too. I had too many old clothes and things I didn’t even use. I stopped hoarding stuff, I cleared everything out so I could start from the beginning. If you look in the boot of my car now, all I’ve got is an umbrella and a pair of trainers. It used to look like a carboot sale. It became a reflection of my lifestyle. So I wanted to clear everything out and get fresh.”

I may not have the best education, but where I can make up for that is being kind, gentle, well-mannered.

 These things go a long way. I’ve learned along the way that if you try and compete using ego against ego, you’re just going to create friction. But ego against humility can sometimes gel. Being kind doesn’t mean you’re weak. There are different ways you can connect with people.”

 Because once you get into the mindset of trying to earn power from people, the god’s don’t like you abusing it. I think to myself: do I want that kind of respect, or do I just want to stay in my lane? Because when it’s all said and done, people normally remember your good character rather than your powerful, egotistical nature. When you’re on top, you have to have an ego. But when you’re not in that position anymore, people will ask: what was he like when he was on top? Was he a nice guy, a leader? In my business you need an ego. But at the same time, boxing doesn’t last forever. I want to be remembered as a good boxer and a good person.”

“I’m not sure what I’ll do after boxing.

 I’ll probably sleep for two years, finally catch up on some rest. But punditry is a difficult one. I feel like pundits never know what the athletes are going through at the time. I feel like they’re too opinionated sometimes. So I don’t think I’d go into that field. I’d do it once in a blue moon, maybe, and I’d try to be more understanding and positive. But I do think that management would be interesting — helping young athletes. We’re not taught about the business element of sport. It’s a short career, and you’ve got to build your pension fund early because you’ll retire at 35. When you’re at the start, you’re ready to give everything to be successful. Your talent is what got you there, but now you’re locked into a contract. It’s difficult. I’d like to help young athletes make the right decisions.”

“Sport is good, but I want my son JJ to go down the route of education.

 You have to be smart in this world. I’ve come up against some of the smartest brains in boxing — I was negotiating among some of the brainiest people in this world. I’d love my son to have that education behind him. But the main thing at the minute is happiness. I want him to be happy, to be around his family, to understand what family morals are.”

 Never let success get to your head, and never let failures get to your heart. Stay humble through your success, and hungry through your defeat. It’s like a balanced diet. You’ve got to stay balanced in life. Don’t get too carried away. It all works out in the end.”

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