Anthony Joshua insisted yesterday that he was not in the United States “to take part, but to take over” as he towered six inches over Andy Ruiz Jnr, the Mexican-American against whom he defends his world heavyweight belts on Saturday night.

Joshua said he wanted “to make a statement” in the style of Deontay Wilder, the World Boxing Council champion, who continued his unbeaten reign in dramatic fashion last weekend when he knocked out Dominic Breazeale.

Nothing less than an emphatic knockout will suffice for Joshua at the Madison Square venue.

“I do want to have a great night. Even though Andy Ruiz is not Wilder or Tyson Fury, he is a fighter who will give me a great contest,” said Joshua, undefeated in 22 contests and holder of the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation belts.

“As long as Ruiz puts up a good fight, it doesn’t matter that he is a late replacement. It’s all about the fight night. You could be the greatest fighter on earth, but if you go in there and don’t perform then everyone will be booing. I’m looking forward to going in there and doing what I do best: putting my name alongside those great heavyweights. This will be a night to remember.”