Anthony Joshua revealed that former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has been giving him advice in the lead-up to the rematch against Andy Ruiz.

Joshua has grown close to the Ukrainian since defeating him by stoppage in April 2017 to unify the IBF and WBA heavyweight titles, with the pair keeping in regular contact.

Speaking ahead of the rematch in Saudi Arabia, Joshua said: “He does not get enough credit for everything he achieved. When I fought him, he called me a ‘cross-fit’ champion and I was offended but he just knew he was better conditioned from spending more time in the ring.

“So this time we spent more time getting comfortable in the ring, moving to my left and right and understanding ring generalship.

“Klitschko told me to stay off my phone this week and not listen to too many outside influences because my own belief is what is important this week not what someone is trying to tell you on the outside.

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“I am confident, very confident and I have a gameplan. I have different ways to skin the cat and am looking forward to putting it into play.”

Joshua is expected to take a more cautious approach after being caught while lunging in during third round of the first fight but Ruiz admitted he’s hoping to rile his opponent so he lets down his guard.

“I want him to be mad and swinging in the ring,” Ruiz admitted. “I want him to have that attitude because I will be calm and know exactly what we need to do.

“I am pretty sure he was mad at me when I suggested that he quit, I think he thought ‘you m********r’.

Wladimir Klitschko has been giving Anthony Joshua advice ahead of the rematch (Getty)

“But that is what I felt in my heart, he spat his mouthpiece out and quit. He was waiting too long to fight again and that is exactly what we are going to try to make him do on 7 December. Hopefully, we can make him do it again.

“I don’t know if I am his bogeyman, I just think his style was perfect for me and I think it will be the same again.

“I think he will box around nicely for four or five rounds until I take the pressure to him, start hitting his body and mixing it up.