‘I went to get fit... I created a legacy’

ANTHONY JOSHUA would happily walk away from boxing now.

But those earning big money from the IBF heavyweight champion’s star status should not panic because he plans to stick around for five more years at least.

And should Joshua, 27, dispatch American Eric Molina as expected on Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, then it is “big time” boxing only from now on.

By that the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist means a showdown with former world champion Wladimir Klitschko in April, a fight that could be staged at Wembley Stadium.

That could then be followed by a huge all-British clash with David Haye or a unification bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, the big-hitting American who is also unbeaten as a professional.

Joshua has not even ruled out all three happening in 2017 and, rather than relieved a rival is out of action, he is actually disappointed Tyson Fury had to relinquish his heavyweight titles while recovering from mental health issues.

Joshua is aware of the critics claiming the clash with Molina, who has lost three times in a below-average career, should not be happening.

But he is ready for the big fights, pointing to the fact that he wanted to face fellow Olympic gold medallist Klitschko this weekend and it would have happened but for an injury to the Ukrainian and contractual issues.

“It is big time now,” said Joshua. “I need to move on to that level. The Klitschko fight was pencilled in and that was my time to announce myself on the big stage but then it fell through. It will happen next year.

“It is a shame Fury is not around too, because that was one that everyone was talking about. But there are other big fights out there and I’m looking forward to them.” Joshua has been boxing for less than a decade but has already achieved a lot.

The Londoner has yet to be really tested as a professional but he is unbeaten in 17 fights in the paid game. Add to that the fact he won World Championship silver and Olympic gold as an amateur, despite only starting boxing at the age of 18.

This was not even his sport of choice as a teenager with football and athletics the favourites until his cousin, boxer Ben Ileyemi, suggested he head down to Finchley

SPORT IN BRIEF

Amateur Boxing Club some fitness work.

Fast forward nine years and Joshua is one of the most recognisable faces in British sport with a £10million-plus fortune and his life completely transformed.

“Maybe I’ll be around for another five years. The legacy I will leave is that I’ve come up the hard way, stayed true to myself,” he said.

“I am a kid from Finchley who went down the gym to get a bit of fitness and I have ended up leaving a legacy.

“I wasn’t chasing money, I was just on a self-development course. I can finish in five years provided everything goes to plan.

“I could walk away from boxing now. I don’t do it for the money, I don’t do it for the glory nights. I am happy and that is all that matters.”

Sky Sports Box Office will show Joshua v Molina on Saturday. Buy now at skysports.com/Joshua to do

Klitschko fight will be next year