Anthony Joshua faces the biggest test of his professional career as the IBF heavyweight champion is set to fight Wladimir Klitschko this coming April.
Joshua blitzed American Eric Molina on Saturday night during only his second ever title defence and maintained his glittering professional record of 18 wins from 18 fights, all of which he has won by stoppage.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist has enjoyed a wonderful year, his title victory over Charles Martin in April, followed by defences against Molina and Dominic Breazeale.
The work will very much now begin in the New Year, after it was announced that he would face former WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 29th at Wembley Stadium.
The 27-year-old will now take on one of the greatest boxers of all time in Klitschko and the pair came face-to-face in the ring following the fight.
Anthony Joshua faces the toughest challenge of his boxing career next April in what is expected to be a sold-out Wembley Stadium. Image: Dave Thompson AP/Press Association Images
"Slow, patient and calculated" is how Joshua described the last night's victory over Molina and acknowledged his counterpart's defensive tactics which he admitted gave him fewer openings to exploit.
"You're dealing with someone who isn't giving you many options," he told BBC Sport. "I had to create it and once I did, I tried to connect properly."
He added: "He's not a Klitschko, he's not a Haye or any of these other fighters. That's why I'm not getting too hyped. I took him out of there like I should. I'm going to keep on doing it like I should. I need to keep moving up the ranks so I'm just going to keep taking care of business."
Klitschko, who lost his belts to Tyson Fury last year, was complimentary of the British fighter following his dominant victory.
"He is the best man in the division and the excitement speaks for itself," he said. "This is what the fans want and this fight must happen."
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