Anthony Joshua has opened up on how he overcomes nerves and anxiety before his fights - and admits apprehensive thoughts have even entered his head during ringwalks in the past.

Speaking to a new Sky Sports podcast called Sidelines, Joshua spoke about the relationship sport has with mental health.

'It's all fun and games in the gym but then you walk down the aisle to the ring and you think, what if I just turn back and I said I just can't do this….you've just come too far to turn back so you just have to deal with the anxiety,' Joshua said.

Anthony Joshua has opened up on how his nerves have impacted him during his career

Joshua underlined his dedication and passion to fight as components to have helped him

'How do you channel that responsibility and pressure? Dedication. When you're dedicated to yourself, you can be dedicated to anything.

'I am a fighter. Even when I stop fighting I'll always have that passion. I don't really put on that face for fighting and then another face for outside of the ring.'

Joshua beat Andy Ruiz in his most recent fight, which was a rematch in Saudi Arabia to reclaim the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts.

It came after he fell to a shock defeat to the Mexican in July last year.

Joshua spoke about how he feels nervous during his walk to the ring before a fight

Joshua has spoken of his desire to face one of Tyson Fury (left) and Deontay Wilder this year

Joshua is hopeful of landing a showdown with either Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in 2020. Wilder and Fury face each other in a rematch in Los Angeles on February 22.

Speaking in the aftermath of his win over Ruiz, Joshua said: 'It has to happen in 2020, we're in the same division, same era, if these guys want to make history, especially Wilder because he has the last belt.

'We created history by becoming a two-time champion of the world and I feel like we can add to that legacy in 2020.'

Sky Sports brand new weekly podcast Sidelines – making space for the stories surrounding sport and the people pushing the culture forward – is available to listen from tomorrow