Anthony Joshua the heavy favourite to dethrone Charles Martin

The boxing world and wider sporting public got a little excited last night when it was announced that Britain’s Anthony Joshua will fight American rival Charles Martin for the IBF world heavyweight title in two month’s time.

And before the dust could settle the Ladbrokes traders gave their initial verdict by installing AJ as the 1/6 favourite to win the fight at London’s O2 Arena on April 9.

Champion Martin has been priced up at 9/2 to make a successful first defence of his belt while it’s 33/1 for the contest to end in a draw.

Any challenge presented I take seriously! Fighting Charles Martin for the IBF World Heavyweight title! #AJBoxing pic.twitter.com/zHrXzoLXeN

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) February 14, 2016

Given what we’ve seen so far from British and Commonwealth king Joshua (15-0-15KO) the early odds are perhaps not too surprising.

However, even by his own admission this will be his toughest assignment yet with the unbeaten American Martin (23-0-1-21KO) not to be taken lightly.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Joshua said: “Fighting for the heavyweight world title has been a dream of mine since I turned professional.”

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to turn that dream in to reality. Not only that, having the chance to fight for it in my home town at The O2 and live on Sky Sports is unbelievably exciting.

“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,” he added.

WATCH: Meet Charles Martin… the man between Anthony Joshua and a world title.

More here: https://t.co/1lhISeM9iB https://t.co/QFSi7BL44W

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) February 14, 2016

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.