By Jake Donovan

Anthony Joshua enjoyed a stellar 2014 ring campaign - one that netted the unbeaten heavyweight BoxingScene.com's 2014 Prospect of the Year award - but the new year begins on a sour note. The heavyweight hopeful was forced to withdraw from a planned January 31 showdown with American journeyman Kevin Johnson after suffering a stress fracture in his back during training camp.

Joshua's condition required immediate medical attention and physiotherapy. With the pain and injury too severe to properly heal in time, the unbeaten Brit was advised by attending medical experts to remain out of the ring for the time being.

The show will still go on at O2 Arena in London. Kevin Mitchell faces Daniel Estrada in a 12-round lightweight title eliminator which now serves as the evening's makeshift main event.

“I trained so hard over Christmas and the press conference with Johnson was so lively that I was really looking forward to putting in a great performance,” Joshua (10-0, 10KOs) said Monday afternoon of the forced postponement. “It’s bad news for myself and for the fans that have bought tickets.

“I hope to be able to put on a fan zone at the weigh-in and the fight itself to meet the fans. I will be competing many times this year but this injury is something that I need to get sorted as soon as possible.”

Joshua is obviously distraught by the news he could not face ‘Kingpin’, but vowed in a video message to fans posted on his YouTube channel to come back even stronger on April 4 in Newcastle, England. The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efeSDGL0mr8

While the show goes on, fans who purchased tickets for the event can request a full refund through by contacing their original point of purchase.

“It's disappointing to lose Anthony from this great card but after receiving news from the scan, he was left with no option but to rest his back,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “He picked up a niggle in the Sprott camp and had a good month rest after but it hasn't been 100 per cent in camp and the results gave him no option.

“He hopes to resume punching in early February and come back with a bang in Newcastle on April 4.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox