Nothing but a knockout will be good enough for Joshua

Anthony Joshua admits he would class himself as a failure if he did not knock out his opponent.

Joshua, pictured, defends his IBF and WBA world heavyweight titles against Bulgarian challenger Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium on 28 October.

The 27-year-old has a perfect 19-0 record, every victory by way of knockout, his most recent an epic battle against Wladimir Klitschko in April.

Joshua stopped the giant Ukrainian in the 11th round at Wembley and he says going the distance is not an option as his career progresses.

“This is heavyweight boxing, you have to knock someone out,” Joshua said. “It always adds value – that’s like the cherry on top. No one comes to a boxing match really to watch a 12-round fight.

“I would see it as a failure if I didn’t do it. It was the same with the Klitschko fight, I had to get him out of there.

“It’s not the same leaving it to the judges and that’s what makes boxing exciting.

“People are wondering if it’s going to go 12 rounds. You get your drink and next minute he’s gone, he’s been knocked down. It’s not up to the judges, you’ve made the decision yourself.”

Joshua added: “You can knock people out without throwing a ten-punch combination,” and he admits to watching Youtube compilations of himself crushing opponents “once or twice”.

“Do it without going through a war and a battle – bang, slip outside the jab, crack.

“It looks perfect on that slomo. Punch perfect, that’s the type of knockouts I want.

“It shows your timing is great, you are a puncher in the division and a force to be reckoned with.

“If you can beat a guy with a good record inside three rounds that aura is still intact.” Joshua promises not to take lightly the 36-yearold Pulev, who has won 25 of his 26 fights, and has a top-three ranking with the WBC and WBO, as well as holding his No 1 status with the IBF.

Joshua said: “He’s a good technical fighter who tries to break you down – the second best name (after Klitschko) I’ve faced.he made mistakes against Klitschko but the man who loses will always come back stronger because they’ve got a lot more to prove.

“He’s waited for this opportunity and he’s like the king of Bulgaria, so as long as he puts up a good fight he’ll still get credit for it.”