Anthony Joshua insists that he needs to be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world to gain the respect he wants, and bookmakers and punters alike believe it will happen sooner rather than later.

Joshua takes on legendary Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, IBO and WBA titles – who with Tyson Fury sidelined, is still considered the best on the planet.

However, Joshua is firm favourite to beat Klitschko and is currently 1/2 on, with his opponent 2/1.

Should he take the title he will then have WBC and WBO titles in his sights currently held by Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker respectively.

“You have to unify the division to gain that respect, but I do think you gain a level of respect that can’t be denied,” said Johsua this week.

You have to unify the division to gain that respect

“This (beating Klitschko) would definitely put you on a pedestal for sure. (But) I would never claim to be the universal heavyweight champion because I’ve never unified the division.

“That’s a status in itself, so in my opinion I need to do a bit more work before I can claim that.”

And bookmakers WilliamHill are certainly backing Joshua to claim the undisputed crown. He is  6/4 to be undisputed champion by the end of 2020 – and those odds have come in the last six few months.

“Anthony Joshua has progressed through the ranks at a rate of knots and a price of 6/4 to unify the division by 2020 looks generous given that he looks the best heavyweight around at the moment,” WilliamHill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“He might well be odds on if he beats Kltischko.”

Still a lot to prove

We also spoke to our Boxing expert Tim Rickson, who is also of the belief that Joshua will unify the division but does not think that he is the best just yet.

“I have no doubt that Anthony Joshua is the real deal and will rule the heavyweight division for some years to come. Do I believe that he is the greatest heavyweight in the world right now? No – Tyson Fury is still ‘King’ for me. Do I think that Joshua beats Klitschko in April? I’m still not convinced. I keep swaying from yes to no but I don’t really think I can tell who will triumph until the first round is over.

Tyson Fury is still ‘King’ for me. Do I think that Joshua beats Klitschko in April? I’m still not convinced.

“Klitschko is unbelievably underrated going into this superfight, and I believe that’s credit to what Tyson Fury was able to do him on that momentous night in Dusseldorf in 2015. But what Fury can do, no other heavyweight can.

“For me, AJ beats Wilder, Haye, Parker, Ortiz, Pulev and Povetkin; although I’m adamant that he doesn’t beat Fury. I’m still on the fence as to whether he can defeat Klitschko – my heart says yes but my head says no.

“I am convinced, however, that he will be undisputed. If he doesn’t conquer Klitschko first time round, he will get him on the next attempt.

“He is only 27 and he ruled the world in the amateurs and I believe he will rule the world again in the pros, too. He is a consummate professional, keeps himself out of trouble and in the best possible shape. He has a sound team behind him and he has everything available to him to be an undisputed champion for many years to come.”