Anthony Joshua v Charles Martin: Callow Joshua insists he is ready to seize first world title chance
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua admits he is taking a risk by challenging for a world title just 15 fights into his career but insists he is ready to dethrone IBF champion Charles Martin.
London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua, who has won all of his fights by knockout since turning professional, clashes with American Martin at the O2 Arena tomorrow night.
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The Watford 26-year-old has long been tipped for stardom, though concerns remain about whether or not a succession of largely facile wins have left him sufficiently battle-hardened.
“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,” he said.
“I’ll probably go out and try to take his head off. 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. I’m coming for him.
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“But if I have to show some technical ability as well to defeat Charles Martin, I’ll do it. I’m here to box, but at the same time I know I’m ready to swim through deep waters to get it.”
Martin, 29, has won 23 and drawn the other of his 24 fights and is making the first defence of his IBF crown, having beaten Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Glazkov for the title – vacated by Britain’s Tyson Fury – in January.