Wednesday 4 November 2015 07:12, UK
Anthony Joshua insists he will approach his British and Commonwealth heavyweight title showdown with long-time rival Dillian Whyte like any other bout.
The Olympic champion lost to Whyte (16-0-KO13) as an amateur and has since been embroiled in a lengthy war of words with the Brixton fighter ahead of the fight on December 12.
But Joshua seemed calm at Tuesday's press conference despite Whyte threatening a knockout victory and placing his hand on Joshua's heart during the face-off.
Joshua said: "It's just like the rest of the fights I've been in. I'll approach it with the same attitude that I've approached the other fights in my professional career. I don't want to try and do anything too over the top.
"I'm trying to step up the ladder. For the British title, whether it's against Dillian or anyone else, I'll approach it with the same attitude and the same hunger. There is attention around this fight, which gives us the more reason to go for a 12-round war.
For the British title, whether it's against Dillian or anyone else, I'll approach with the same attitude and the same hunger.
"It may not go the distance but I'm sure Dillian is potentially the man to take me past three rounds. It'll be tough for him to do that, though, because I'm going to be ready."
Whyte questioned the capability of some of Joshua's previous opponents - speculating the average age was around 38 years old - but although the defending Commonwealth champion admitted Whyte presents a new test, insisted all his victims shared the same attitude.
The 26-year-old Joshua said: "I've never really been in big-time boxing so there wasn't big money on the table for these guys to fight me anyway. They've definitely come with the attitude they could beat me. I keep myself to myself and I think that's why the think they can beat me.
"When you're 17 or 18 stone, rotating from the hips and punching with all your might, it changes the aspect of the fight. That's where some of the fighters have gone wrong and I don't think Dillian's attitude is different to my previous 14 opponents.
"He's talking about 39-year-olds but we'll step in the ring, and I'll get the result and then there'll be the next guy to try and beat me. Whether I've fought 39-year-olds, 12-year-olds or 25-year-olds. It's why he's here now - to give me a young hungry fighter with a British title on the line to make it more interesting.
"Once I get past him, it'll be interesting to hear what the next man has to say."
