Joshua: Anthony Joshua expects explosive fight with Charles Martin
Friday 8 April 2016 07:18, UK
Anthony Joshua admits it will be hard to resist the desire to stand and trade with Charles Martin and will try to take the IBF champion's 'head off'.
The heavyweight rivals came face-to-face again at the final press conference ahead of Saturday's world title clash, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua came through an explosive battle with British rival Dillian Whyte in his last fight and admits the tactical game plan might be forgotten once he starts trading big punches with Martin at The O2.
"They know when it comes to these big heavy-hitters we don't play games, we're here to go to war," he said. "We've just got two generals in the ring and the best army wins."
Asked whether he can control his emotions, Joshua replied: "Probably not. I'll probably go out and try to take his head off.
"You know what I'm like, I'm a fighter man. I'm not going to go in there and dance around and try to evade punches. I'm going to walk through two to give him five. That's just how it goes, I'm coming for him.
I'm not going to go in there and dance around and try to evade punches. I'm going to walk through two to give him five.
"But if I have to show some technical ability as well to defeat Charles Martin, I'll do it, that's what I said.
"I'm here to box, but at the same time I know I'm ready to swim through deep waters to get it. It's not going to be easy, I know that for a fact, no fight is easy. That's why I said to you I will box and hopefully it will be an easy night.
"Dillian Whyte, credit to him, he will go on to do great things. That guy fought out of his skin, but I managed to knock him clean out and that's just what we do and I'm looking to carry on my knockout ratio come Saturday."
Concerns have been raised about whether Joshua is ready to challenge for a world title in just his 16th bout, but the unbeaten 26-year-old is paying little attention to any pre-fight talk.
Joshua said: "It most definitely is a risk, but at the same time let's scrap all this 15-fight, 16-fight nonsense and let's put men in the ring together who want it. Whoever wants it comes out on top and it's simple as that.
"Scrap all this 16-fight nonsense and who is the champ. This is just me and Charles going toe-to-toe and the best man will come out on top."
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online.
