Anthony Joshua to challenge Charles Martin for IBF heavyweight title in April

Anthony Joshua will challenge Charles Martin for the IBF heavyweight championship on April 9. Martin, 29, won his title after beating Vyacheslav Glazkov in Brooklyn in January and will fight outside the United States for the first time when he takes on Joshua at the O2.

The Olympic gold medallist remains unbeaten in his 15 professional bouts, last knocking out Dillian Whyte at the O2 in December.

"Fighting for the heavyweight world title has been a dream of mine since I turned professional," Joshua said, Sky Sports report. "I feel privileged to have the opportunity to turn that dream in to reality.

"Charles Martin is a great fighter and a hungry competitor so I am going to have to produce the performance of my career to claim that belt."

Martin has a record of 23 wins in 24 professional bouts, winning his title in January after Glazkov was unable to continue due to a knee injury

"I told my team I wanted the best challenger possible for my first defence and Anthony Joshua's name kept coming up. I'm coming to the UK to make a statement that I am the best heavyweight in the world and no one is taking my title," the champion said.

"I'm world champion, so that doesn't mean just sit back and make easy defences in the US, it means facing the biggest challenges out there. I respect Anthony Joshua and everything he has accomplished, but on April 9 he's getting knocked out."