Anthony Joshua has declared that his upcoming fight with Joseph Parker will be a bloody one,as he downplays weight issue ahead of the clash.

The two heavyweights will meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31, as Joshua looks to take the WBO strap from Parker to move one belt away from becoming the undisputed champion.

Parker has 18 knockouts on his 24-fight unbeaten record, and Joshua is expecting a brutal bout.

In an interview on sky sports, Joshua declares there will be blood on the rings that day.

“I can’t tell you exactly how the fight will go, but we’re big, we’re strong, and the punches do hurt after a while,” says the 28-year-old.

“I definitely know there’ll be blood. There will definitely be blood, and the thing is – you can definitely hear the leather, cracking on people’s heads, if you’re close enough as well, and we’re both fast.

“You’ll see really good combinations that you don’t really see from heavyweights.”

Joshua also dismissed rumours that his weight has been deteriorating in recent weeks.

“Weight has never been an issue. I wouldn’t make weight the main factor of what I’ve been working on in this camp.

Joshua has won all 20 of his professional bouts by knockout so far.