Wladimir Klitschko claims the pressure is completely off his back going into his world heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua.

In just a week's time, Joshua and Klitschko will fight for the Brit's IBF title and Tyson Fury's vacant belts which he won from the Ukrainian back in November 2015. 

While there has been a consistent respect between the two fighters in the build up, they both seem very confident and have reflected this in their interviews.

Klitschko has now added to this by saying Joshua will have all the pressure on him due to his promoter Hearn.

The 41-year-old recently said: "I am comfortable because I don't have the pressure to defend my titles anymore.

"I am not obsessed with a lot of goals, I am only obsessed with enjoying the time and all the pressures are actually in my opponent’s corner.

“Who do I want to impress? I want to impress myself with a good performance."

Klitschko also thinks Joshua has all the pressure on him, something that has been put on him by himself his promoting team

"He wants to become the unified champion, he needs to knock me out as he promised it, he wants to become a billionaire.

“His promoter, [Barry] Hearn Senior, said, ‘It is going to be a painful night for Klitschko’, so Joshua needs to deliver a painful night for Klitschko.

“He is in a position where he basically needs to show to the world the kind of guy he is.

“He needs to impress.

“I’m considered food for the lion, so he needs to eat that food or break his teeth.

“So all the pressure is on the other side and I am just focused about me, me, me.

“I just want to enjoy myself in the ring."

It's clear to see the Ukrainian is feeling no pressure going into next weekend's fight.

However, one must question how much of this Klitschko actually believes or whether he is trying to deflect the spotlight away from him.

It could be argued that in fact all the pressure will be on the veteran, as if he loses, and loses by KO, then could that be the end of his career?

Joshua is still very young and still has a long career ahead of him, does Klitschko have the same luxury?

There is no doubt Klitschko will be facing the pressure, and there will be not only nerves, but genuine concerns that he could get knocked out when the two face off at Wembley next week.