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Anthony Joshua talks knockouts, business and 'being nice'

A Q & A with the Olympic heavyweight champion

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Find out what it's like to be Britain's heavyweight sensation!

Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua talks future opponents, getting in to 'fight mode' and the pressure of British hopes.

Just 13 fights and 13 knockouts in to his professional heavyweight career, Anthony Joshua has been hailed by current WBA, IBF and WBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko as the future of the division.

Last month, Joshua cemented his reputation as one of the world's hardest hitters by becoming the first man to stop durable American Kevin Johnson – annihilating his man in the second round and prompting his immediate retirement in the process.

With Deontay Wilder causing a stir Stateside and Tyson Fury providing a realistic long-term target domestically, Joshua is a rising star in a rejuvenated division and many feel he will go on to be a global superstar.

But what makes Joshua tick? Here, Sky Sports catches up with the 25-year-old Olympic champion and asks some searching questions...

Did you expect your first 13 pro fights to go so well? I expected it to be tougher. As an amateur, I wasn't knocking out guys in such good fashion so, yeah, it's going pretty well.

If you're Eddie Hearn for the day, who would you choose as Anthony Joshua's next opponent? Tyson Fury. [It's a] massive fight because he does really well on TV. People want to see it so the work is already done.

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I've got a lot of time for Fury. He's handled business and built himself up to a world championship stage. I feel that it'd be very tough for me because he's got a lot more experience than me but I feel it's a fight I'm very capable of winning. If I keep going the way I'm going then in 12 or 18 months, it's a fight I'd win a lot easier than I would now.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25:  Tyson Fury looks on during a media workout at the Peacock Gym on February 25, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Julian Fi
Image: Tyson Fury: Has the respect of Anthony Joshua

Do you think as a boxer it's important to understand the business side of it? Yeah, 100 per cent – so you're not getting mugged off. You've always got to remember that you can't make all your decisions for business though. You have to do it for pride, passion and for the people who want to see you fight. You've got a duty to fulfil – entertaining the people coming to see you.

What's the hardest decision you've made so far? Turning pro and leaving the amateur game. Brazil [2016 Olympics] was a serious option because I'd only been boxing three years when I won the gold and I wanted to go back and show the world how much I'd improved. If I did that, I'd have been 26 or 27 turning pro and wouldn't have been too old. No regrets, though.

How much more have you got to show us as a fighter? Shed loads. I'm a man of progression. Look back at my amateur career and you can see how I progressed. Give me time, because in about 18 months you'll see the best of me. If my coach thinks it's the right time for me, I'll be fighting for a world title then.

What motivates you most as a fighter? I feel lucky to be in this position and I don't take it for granted.

In the ring, I'll take your head off. I'm in a fight and there's no time to be nice. I understand the switch to flick on and flick off.
Anthony Joshua

Does it annoy you that people say you're too nice? Do you want me to go mad at you?! Ha. No, not at all. All you can be is yourself. In the ring, I'll take your head off. I'm in a fight and there's no time to be nice. I understand the switch to flick on and flick off. I'm the same person but I'm in fight mode. Afterwards, I'll shake his hand like a gentleman would... unless he hits me!

Do you feel any pressure as the standard bearer of British boxing? I always see myself as a contender. I don't see myself as anything special. I have to prove myself. I'm not above anyone.

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