Joshua ready to celebrate first year in professional boxing with first title…
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British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua will be looking to win the WBC international heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old faces Russian Denis Bakhtov for the title as he celebrates a year in the professional ranks, and with Michael Sprott waiting on November 22, promoter Eddie Hearn expects big things from the Olympic gold medallist in 2015.
Nevertheless, the heavyweight prospect isn’t looking beyond Saturday night as he weighed in at 16st 12lbs 9oz and concedes that not a lot changed over the past year aside from the fact that he has gained a significant number of new fans.
“I am aware of the expectations around me and the potential that the great guys achieved. I’m at the start of my career like they all were and I know that hard work is the key. If I keep my head down and work hard I can reach the top,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
With the prospect of participating in major fights next year, Joshua will be keen to avoid any slip-ups to end 2014, and that starts against Bakhtov, with the 34-year-old arriving in the English capital with a 38-9 record with 25 wins coming by way of knockout.
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