Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker: Deontay Wilder is no distraction for me, insists Joshua

Should Joshua get through the fight against his rival from New Zealand, he is widely expected to take on Wilder in yet another unification showdown

Anthony Joshua faces Joseph Parker on March 31 (Getty)

Anthony Joshua has insisted he is not looking past Joseph Parker, despite growing talk that he will fight Deontay Wilder before the end of the calendar year.

The unified heavyweight champion fights Parker on March 31st in Cardiff and has the opportunity to add the WBO title to his set of belts, with no fighter in the history of the division having held all four of on offer at the same time.

Should Joshua get through the fight against his rival from New Zealand, a fight much touted for him next would be against Wilder, who holds the WBC crown and has been calling out the Brit for much of the last year (and beyond).

However, Joshua revealed to Sky Sports that his focus is not on Wilder, while sending a warning to his upcoming opponent at the same time.

“People are talking about Wilder. I'm not. That's not my focus.

“People should never overlook Joseph Parker - he's a world champion, undefeated, and he has that Kiwi blood. That's a triple threat.

“Parker - just know I'm not overlooking you, I'm taking this deadly serious, and I'm focused on the task ahead. I'm a serious competitor.”

Joshua, whose weight often comes into question, has refused to confirm if he will be much lighter to face Parker than he was the last time he traveled to the Principality Stadium, where he beat late Kubrat Pulve's late replacement Carlos Takam at a career heavy 18st 2lbs.

“I'm not going to say because, last time I said that, I came in at my career-heaviest.

“I'm not going to jinx it. Whether I'm bigger than I was for Takam, or lighter than I was for Dominic Breazeale, I will make sure I am victorious.”