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Anthony Joshua has warned Wladimir Klitschko that he can see straight through his mind games – but knows the dangers of facing a wounded animal.
Klitschko praised the way the two heavyweights have abstained from the trash talk seen between David Haye and Tony Bellew last month ahead of their Wembley showdown on Saturday night.
However, the 41-year-old Ukrainian has tried to get in his British rival’s head, centring his cloaked insults on Joshua’s muscular physique and his aspiration to become a billionaire.
Anthony Joshua's career in picturesShow all 23 1 /23Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Anthony Joshua's career in pictures After 22 professional fights, Anthony Joshua boasts an unblemished career record
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Emanuele Leo, TKO (R1) 2:47 In his first fight since turning professional, 23-year-old Joshua floored Emanuele Leo in a vicious two minutes and 47 second rout.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Paul Butlin, TKO (2) 0:50 Joshua’s needed only two rounds to see off Paul Butlin in his second professional fight when the referee called an end to the tie 50 seconds into the second round.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Hrvoje Kisicek, TKO (2) 1:38 It was yet another second-round stoppage victory for Joshua, knocking out veteran Hrvoje Kisicek after a fiery flurry of punches on the ropes.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Dorian Darch, TKO (2) 0:51 Joshua demolished fellow Brit, Dorian Darch, landing multiple crisp blows in the opening minutes and leaving him the referee no choice but to put an end to the fight.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Hector Avila, (KO) 1 2:14 Joshua needed a mere 134 seconds to see off the challenge of Hector Avila in Glasgow and clock up his fifth win without defeat.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Matt Legg, KO (1) 1:23 Matt Legg was the next victim of Joshua’s phenomenal run. A venomous uppercut to the chin floored Legg in only 83 seconds.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Matt Skelton, TKO (2) 2:33 Needing less than six minutes, Joshua delivered his trademark blow to 47-year-old veteran Matt Skelton taking his tally to seven on the trot.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Konstantin Airich, TKO (3) 1:16 Konstantin Airich became the next victim of Joshua’s brutal run of fights. A third round TKO ended any chance of Airich spoiling the party.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Denis Bakhtov, TKO (2) 1:00 Joshua claimed the WBC International heavyweight title by destroying Denis Bakhtov in within two rounds showing he is one of the most exciting prospects in world boxing.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Michael Sprott, TKO (1) 1:26 Joshua needed less than 90 seconds to blast out veteran Michael Sprott and record his 10th successive knockout.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Jason Gavern, KO (3) 1:21 On this return to boxing, Joshua demolished American Jason Gavern in three rounds, flooring him four times in the process.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Raphael Zumbano Love, TKO (2) 1:21 Another second round knockout brought Joshua’s up to 12-0 as he flattened Brazilian Raphael Zumbano Love.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Kevin Johnson, TKO (2) 1:22 American 36-fight veteran Kevin Johnson proved to be no match for Joshua who needed only 2 rounds to walk away with another knock out
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Gary Cornish, TKO (1) 1:37 Joshua stopped Gary Cornish in 90 seconds to win the Commonwealth heavyweight title to the delight of The O2.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Dillian Whyte, KO (7) 1:27 Joshua battled to beat Dillian Whyte but eventually prevailed with a seventh round knockout, becoming the British heavyweight champion.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Charles Martin, KO (2) 1:32 Charles Martin hit the canvas twice as Joshua cruises through to claim the IBF world heavyweight title.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Dominic Breazeale, TKO (7) 1:01 Joshua defended his IBF world title in a seventh round stoppage win over Dominic Breazeale to continue his unstoppable run to the top.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Éric Molina, TKO (3) 2:02 And then it was 18! Joshua confirmed his tie with Wladimir Klitschko after thumping Éric Molina in three rounds, completing the defence of his IBF heavyweight title.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Wladimir Klitschko, TKO (11) Faced by one the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time Joshua produced an all-time performance, climbing off the mat after being knocked down in the sixth to power back and stop Klitschko with a violent barrage in the 11th round to earn the finest win of his young career
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Carlos Takam, TKO (10) Joshua survived a broken nose in the second round to defeat a valiant Takam, who was a late notice replacement for the injured Kubrat Pulev.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Joseph Parker, UD The first time Joshua has been taken the distance in his professional career. But he dominated throughout and added the WBO belt to his collection with ease.
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Anthony Joshua's career in pictures Alexander Povetkin, TKO (7) Joshua became the first man ever to stop former world champion Povetkin in one of his most thrilling fights yet.
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But Joshua has dismissed Klitschko’s psychological attack as the older fighter trying to shift criticism he has received in the past to his younger foe.
"There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a billionaire - if you have kids you would advise them to set goals high, there's nothing wrong with aiming high," Joshua said.
"Wladimir Klitschko was accused of carrying out fights to the 12th round to secure commercial revenue in Germany. He has been accused of trying to accumulate financial gain as well. Maybe he is using that as a way to attack me because he has been in that situation before.
Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko: Joshua wants performance to do the talking "He used to be accused of being too muscular because he used to gas after five or six rounds coming through.
"Everything he has gone through he seems to be throwing at the young champion coming through. I study boxing, I see where he is coming from. I can see his angles. It is important to unsettle a fighter.
"Boxing isn't just about the Mike Tysons of the world, there are so many ways of expressing yourself. It is a martial art."
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