Anthony Joshua insisted there was never any intention to swerve mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk ahead of the pair’s heavyweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Usyk is a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion and the Ukrainian southpaw’s overall skills, including outstanding footwork and blurring hand speed, are rated among the best in boxing in any division.

Joshua, though, says he welcomes the challenge of defending his WBA, IBF and WBO crowns against all comers.

He said: “I don’t really fight good fighters because I want people to respect me or anything like that.

“It’s not complicated if you told me I was fighting King Kong I would give it a go, honestly.

“It’s an opportunity for me to work, this is my job. I’m just going to work, he’s going to work. It’s a blessing. These are the best days of my life.”

Joshua talked up his own abilities and said he was the last person he would hope to meet in a ring at this moment in time.

He feels he has found his purpose through boxing.

“I’m not an easy fight for anyone,” he continued.

“I like my fighting and I feel God has blessed me. He showed me the path to get in to boxing and it has to be the reason why I’m here. It’s been quick. It has to be the reason.

“I don’t want to say too much, but I’m here, I’m blessed, I’m happy. I don’t take it for granted.”

Usyk is a fighter of great experience, who spent years as an amateur prior to turning pro.

Joshua said he respects the style of Ukrainian fighters, particularly the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Anatoly Lomachenko, who has been coaching Usyk in preparation for this weekend’s bout.

“I wasn’t on the amateur scene for long enough to know about Oleksandr,” he said.

“But when I started getting heavily involved in boxing, I do a lot of research, and I really love the Ukrainian style. I like the Ukrainian people.

“Obviously Wladimir Klitschko is a phenomenal champion and I had the upmost respect when he invited me into his training camp. And I like Papachenko as well - a phenomenal man who stays behind the camera. A bit like Rob [McCracken], they’re quite similar, they stay behind the camera, but are very experienced.

“They love boxing. I really love boxing, I love everything that they do.

“I love everything all my opponents do because it gets them to the stage where we fight each other. And the cream always rises to the top.

“We’re here now, and good luck to them.”

Joshua, who intends to be back in training next Monday or Tuesday, said ultimately the fight for him was another chance to learn: “For a fighter like myself this is just another day in camp.

“You’ve got to want to train, to put the work in, improve, practice. That’s what I like.

“When I started boxing it was a fun because I was absolutely s*** when I started. I’m still getting better. I like the challenges because I train, come back three months later and beat the guys up who were giving me problems. This fight gives me the motivation to practice.”