AJ ready to ‘step up’ against Klitschko

Anthony Joshua admits it is time for him to “step up” in his career as he prepares to face Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua (18-0 KO18) is preparing to defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Klitschko (64-4 KO53) in front of 90,000 fans on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the vacant WBA strap also on the line.

The unbeaten Brit has blown away every opponent put before him and has never been taken beyond the seventh round so far in his career, but faces arguably his toughest test against the two-time world champion.

“When we’ve been training, we’ve always been training for fights like this. Even when I was fighting people who were not as talented or experienced as Klitschko, we were always training as if I was fighting better opponents,” Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ.

Wlad: I’ve made upgrades

Wladimir Klitschko insists he has made the necessary “upgrades” to help him defeat Anthony Joshua

“Now, I’m here, let’s get it on. Everyone has to step up in their career and I am just doing mine now, whether it was against Klitschko or any of the other champions.

“It doesn’t matter if there are 90,000 people, 9,000 people or 900 people, as long as I win that’s the main thing and it is history making.

Tale of the Tape – Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko

“Three and a bit years as a pro and I am making history, so I am happy about that side of things.”