Friday 4 September 2015 16:21, UK
Anthony Joshua is wary of the challenge posed by unbeaten Scot Gary Cornish when the two meet for the Commonwealth heavyweight title on September 12.
Olympic gold medalist Joshua, 25, scored a second-round knockout victory over Kevin Johnson in his last fight on May 30 and will now attempt to secure his first major professional title when he takes on 28-year-old Cornish (21-0-KO12) at the O2 Arena.
"After my last fight with Kevin Johnson I had a little break and it put me in good stead for this fight," Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ. "I have been in the gym constantly but I have the weekend off ready for fight week.
"It's a big fight and there will be 14,000-15,000 people attending. The atmosphere is going to be crazy and my first major title is on the line.
"Gary Cornish is a big guy, he weighs about 18 stone and he has never been defeated, even as an amateur. He doesn't know losing, he has the winning mentality, especially where there is a Commonwealth strap on the line as well.
"He is going to come with pride and will want to take that belt back to Scotland, so it is going to be really competitive."
Joshua's unbeaten London rival Dillian Whyte will box on the undercard and with the animosity between the pair showing no signs of abating ahead of their expected British title clash, Joshua hopes their upcoming bouts will whet the appetite.
He said: "If I can get past Cornish and Dillian gets past his opponent, it sets up a mega title for the British title, hopefully on December 12 at the O2.
"Tune in September 12 because you are going to get to see both of us compete leading up to a big clash in December."
Gary Cornish is a big guy, he weighs about 18 stone and he has never been defeated, even as an amateur. He doesn't know losing, he has the winning mentality.
With a busy end to 2015 domestically, Joshua will have one eye on two prospective world title opponents in Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury, who will fight for the Ukrainian's WBO, WBA Super and IBF titles in Germany on October 24.
"These guys are the guys I am watching," said Joshua. "It's a really good fight for him (Fury) on October 24. He has got good range and is hungry and has been waiting for this shot.
"He will want to prove to the world he is what he says he is, the best heavyweight of our generation but Klitschko is an Olympic medallist and the longest reigning champion since Joe Louis.
"He will be a hard man to beat but that's what makes heavyweight boxing so interesting because all it takes is one punch.
"In 2016, it will be four years since the Olympics. Let me pick up this Commonwealth strap potentially and the British one as well by the end of the year. That way, when we move into 2016 we will be at European/World level."
Watch Anthony Joshua take on Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight crown. Coverage begins at 8pm on September 12 on Sky Sports 1.
