Anthony Joshua: Wladimir Klitschko fight is no distraction before Eric Molina
- Published
Britain's IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua claims he is not getting distracted by a scheduled meeting with Wladimir Klitschko next year.
Joshua, 27, says he is "mentally strong enough" to focus on Saturday's fight with Eric Molina in Manchester.
He had been close to agreeing a bout with Klitschko on Saturday but the Ukrainian picked up a "minor injury".
"It's a great opportunity but it's not reality yet. I can only deal with what is in front of me," he told Newsbeat.
"I think they've put this hurdle in the way and I might have to overcome some situations, but providing I do so I think I will be able to fulfil my destiny in 2017."
If Joshua beats American Molina it will pave the way for him to face Klitschko in a unification bout for the WBA and IBF titles.
Klitschko, 40, who has 64 career wins, lost the WBA, WBO and IBF titles to British heavyweight Tyson Fury in November 2015.
Joshua, who is unbeaten in 17 fights, meets Molina at the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena.
"We haven't been up north for a while, up north is a good crowd so I thought lets go to Manchester," he said.
Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time with a knockout of Dominic Breazeale in London in June.
He's been telling us about the importance of mixing up his walk-on music too.
"It's just what's relevant, so if I'm in Scotland then it would be 500 Miles [by The Proclaimers] but it also has to be relevant to the opponent," he said.
"So in Manchester it could be Oasis. Something that has a connection with myself and the crowd."
This is a tweet Anthony Joshua sent on the morning of a fight against Dillian Whyte., external
In the past, Stormzy has performed a live walk-on track for Joshua, who added: "He performed Shut Up and Dillian Whyte [the opponent] had to shut up because I won so it worked out really well."
Joshua might be heavyweight champion of the world but he keeps his feet firmly on the ground by living at home with his mum.
"My mum rules the roost and I go out and bring the bread back home," he said.
"We live in a two bed flat but I treat it like my kingdom so I do chores... and I don't have to be asked."
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