Sleeping giant Joshua ready to be knockout

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been sleeping like a baby this week as he prepares to leave Kubrat Pulev out for the count.

The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion insists he still has the killer instinct, despite boxing clever to outpoint Andy Ruiz jnr last December in their Saudi Arabia rematch.

Ahead of his clash with Bulgarian veteran Pulev, Joshua, 31, admitted it is “psychopathic” behaviour to be sleeping soundly when you are about to go in a ring and trade huge punches.

But the man who has knocked out 21 of the 23 people he has beaten, said: “I’ve been that destructive ever since I started boxing so, for me, I’m just going to do the job in the best way possible.

“Because remaining champion is important, and getting the win is – in whatever fashion. But I’m ready for a 12- round fight if that is the case. And if a shot lands and causes a lot of damage, I’ll be looking to take him out. That doesn’t leave someone. Once a killer, always a killer.

“I sleep good. Certain people can’t sleep at night because they’re really tuned up for this fight but I must be a good psychopath because

I’m sleeping like a baby. I’m not worried. I do this.”

This will be the first time Joshua has fought in front of such a small audience since he was an amateur before the London 2012 Olympics. Only 1,000 fans will be in Wembley Arena and behind- closed- doors boxing has seen some big upsets since the summer, including Daniel Dubois’ defeat by Joe Joyce and Anthony Yarde losing to Lyndon Arthur.

Joshua is a huge favourite against Pulev, whose solitary defeat as a pro came in his only other world- title shot against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.

But the Watford warrior is wary of overlooking the Bulgarian with WBC champion Tyson Fury lying in wait for next year. “People say I had more pressure on me in Saudi, but I feel I’m fighting for the championship again,” said Joshua. “I haven’t cut any sessions because I’m serious about wanting to win. I feel more confident. In Saudi, there was massive pressure. This one, I’ve had a lot of time to work on everything.

“Look at the Joe Joyce- Dubois situation, and Arthur – I’ve got to take Pulev seriously and it won’t be a walk in the park because, if I don’t, we’ve seen what can happen.”

In his first defence of the belt since getting them back against Ruiz jnr, Joshua says he has been using YouTube motivational speakers to inspire him.

“I spend a lot of time on YouTube listening to different quotes and speakers. There’ve been great warriors that have conquered the world. I’m just trying to conquer one man tonight.”

Joshua v Pulev is live Sports Box Office tonight on

Sky