Joshua promises a night to remember when he fights Ruiz

Anthony Joshua insisted yesterday that he was not in the United States “to take part, but to take over” as he towered six inches over Andy Ruiz Jnr, the Mexican-american against whom he defends his world heavyweight belts tomorrow night.

Joshua said he wanted “to make a statement” in the style of Deontay Wilder, the World Boxing Council champion, who continued his unbeaten reign in dramatic fashion 13 days ago when he knocked out Dominic Breazeale.

Nothing less than an emphatic knockout will suffice for Joshua at Madison Square Garden.

“I do want to have a great night. Even though Andy Ruiz is not Wilder or Tyson Fury, he is a fighter who will give me a great contest,” said Joshua, undefeated in 22 contests and holder of the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation belts.

“As long as Ruiz puts up a good fight, it doesn’t matter that he is a late replacement. It’s all about the fight night. You could be the greatest fighter on earth, but if you go in there and don’t perform then everyone will be booing. I’m looking forward to going in there and doing what I do best: putting my name alongside those great heavyweights. This will be a night to remember.”

The 29-year-old’s American debut comes six years into his professional career, after his rise to prominence with the super-heavyweight gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

“We’ve built ourselves to a position where we’re able to fight at Madison Square Garden. It takes a long time, but we’re here now.

“Now it’s about defining fights going into the second phase of my career. Ruiz is the first step of coming to America, to US turf and to take over. I’m not here to take part, I’m here to take over.

“You’ve got to be thick skinned and tough minded in boxing. It’s a tough sport, an unforgiving one. I prepare well and I’m going to go out there and do my best.”

Ruiz, with 32 victories from 33 contests, said: “It won’t go the distance. As long as I stick to the game plan, we’re here to shock the people. I have respect for him right now, but inside the ring it’s a whole different ball game. I don’t have respect for nobody. Outside of the ring, it’s a whole different show.”

Joshua added: “It is a big night, but I won’t be overawed. I want to have a great night at Madison Square Garden and this is now all about legacy fights in my career.”