By Adam Powers

Joshua, of Nigerian heritage and with the outline of Africa tattooed on his right arm, has so far only boxed professionally in the UK.

Saturday’s test against Mexican Ruiz Jr at MSG represents the first step in his pursuit of global domination, and the WBA-IBF-WBO titlist revealed after his open workout on Tuesday that Africa may be the next stage.

On making his stateside debut, he said: “It puts pressure on because you’re starting a new career.

“Everything I’ve done in London is irrelevant. I’ve got to do it all again.

“It’s only when I finish with boxing that I will go through my checklist. Now, I roll with the punches.

“Madison Square Garden. What’s next? Who knows. Maybe an international stadium.

“Maybe go to Africa in honour of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The opportunities are crazy.”

Heavyweight legends Ali and Foreman traded blows for the world championship in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1974 – a fight known as The Rumble in the Jungle.

Ali famously defeated the hard-hitting champion Foreman using a rope-a-dope tactic which surged him to an eighth-round KO victory.

Joshua is immensely proud of his rise through the ranks and wants to add his name to a pantheon of heavyweight greats who not only made their marks in the ring but outside of it as well.

In a Behind The Ropes episode released ahead of his US bow, Joshua said of past greats: “These great men, they don’t just become icons and legends because of what they do in the ring.

“Sometimes it’s what they use their platform for. I’m starting to understand that.

“Good fighters are always good fighters. Good men are hard to find. And that’s what these men separate themselves from.”

Despite Joshua’s speculation that he may next fight in Africa, head of Sky Sports Boxing Adam Smith has claimed his golden goose wants to return to England.

AJ and his team received criticism for their decision to go across the pond having built a fanbase in the UK, but over 8,000 British fans are still expected to make the trip.

Article courtesy of Adam Powers & Express