Anthony Joshua eyes Klitschko prize ahead of Manchester Eric Molina world title defence

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua fights Eric Molina on Saturday, but all the talk this week has been about who the Briton could fight next.

Joshua’s second defence of his IBF world crown might not be generating as much excitement and anticipation as his previous fights, but much is on the line.

Should he prevail, Joshua will be set to face former world champion Wladimir Klitschko in a 2017 mega-fight and he must therefore ensure nothing upsets those plans against American Molina.

“I will make Eric look like a novice,” said Joshua, who has knocked out all 17 of his professional opponents, at a press conference in Manchester on Thursday.

“It’s a breaking-down job. This is boxing, this is science. It’s about being clever, so I’m going to go later on in the rounds breaking him down.

“If I get past Eric, it’s only going to get tougher. I’m the guy that should beat Klitschko, so I have to make sure I perform like the guy who should beat Klitschko.”