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Anthony Joshua v Charles Martin: Eddie Hearn warns of Martin threat

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Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua's world title shot has come quicker than expected but has backed his man to be world champion

Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua cannot afford to "let the occasion get the better of him" when he takes on Charles Martin for the IBF world heavyweight title on April 9.

Joshua (15-0-KO15) will challenge Martin (23-0-1-KO21) for his IBF strap at The O2 Arena in London, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and will aim to become only the ninth British heavyweight in history to taste world title glory. 

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist is yet to suffer defeat in the professional ranks, but had to dig deep to beat bitter domestic rival Dillian Whyte in December, winning via an explosive seventh-round stoppage. 

Joshua was visibly hurt for the first time in his professional career in the bout with Whyte and Hearn insists the 26-year-old must produce a more mature performance to defeat his American opponent. 

Anthony Joshua (L) and Matt Legg (R) at the Carl Froch v George Groves - Weigh-In at Wembley Arena on May 30, 2014 in London, En
Image: Joshua [L] faces Martin [R] for the IBF world title on April 9

"Anthony has got to show a lot more calmness than he did in the fight with Dillian Whyte. He boxed purely on emotion and made a whole load of mistakes, but he showed he has got a good chin, he showed that he is fit and showed his power late in the fight," Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ

"It was a massive learning curve, I think you are going to see a much improved Anthony Joshua against Charles Martin, but again we don't know how good Charles Martin actually is. We know he is good, but how good is he? He is undefeated, but he has been virtually untested. 

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Sky Sports Boxing expert Adam Smith says the clash between Anthony Joshua and Charles Martin is a mouthwatering prospect

"In the division anything can happen, but I think you are going to see a much more mature performance from Anthony Joshua. He has to box to a game plan, Martin is a 6ft 5in awkward southpaw with a big backhand. 

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"Anthony must be disciplined, he must not let the occasion or the crowd get the better of him. Anthony has been a revelation for British boxing since he turned professional, but especially in the last six months and to have the chance to become world heavyweight champion in only his 16th fight is an incredible achievement. We all believe he can do it."

When asked whether he felt Joshua would be ready for clashes against WBA and WBO champion Tyson Fury and WBC title holder Deontay Wilder if successful against Martin, Hearn added: "Sure, that is one of the reasons why we have taken this fight. The victory makes those fights so much bigger. 

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A look at the man who's been confirmed as Anthony Joshua's next opponent: IBF world heavyweight champion Charles Martin

"Of course, if Anthony is successful, we would look to get him out again in the summer and he can fight anyone he wants. 

"There's David Haye, Tyson Fury, although he is probably most likely to be tied up with Wladimir Klitschko. There are a lot of people saying he'll have to learn on the job with some defences. But we will take it fight by fight. 

"He is already probably one of the most powerful commodities in the heavyweight division. Add that world title around his waist and all of a sudden it takes him to another level, probably one of the biggest stars in the sport."

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