Anthony Joshua has said he may pick the brain of his upcoming opponent Michael Sprott after their fight to gauge his progress.

Joshua meets 39-year-old veteran Sprott on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly v Tony Bellew, live on Sky Sports Box Office this Saturday.

And since both men have had the privilege of training and sparring with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua feels he would benefit from speaking to Sprott after their bout.

“I ask a lot of questions,” the Olympic gold medallist told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I’ve sparred with Klitschko and he has as well, and we’re going to compete, so maybe after the fight it’ll be good to have a conversation about our experience and what Sprott thinks I can do in the division.

“Sprott has fought guys like Kubrat Pulev, who just fought Klitschko, he’s sparred Klitschko, and fought guys who have been on the fringe of world championship level so he’ll be able to gauge what I bring to the table and what other fighters bring to the table.”

Joshua claims an ultimate goal is to follow in the footsteps of the long-reigning heavyweight master.

“I want to replicate what Wladimir Kitschko is doing. There are past champions, but right now when I look around, I definitely pick Klitschko to emulate.”

While Joshua may seek Sprott’s advice afterwards, he is hoping they share a ring for the shortest time possible because he doesn’t need practice rounds.

He said: “Not this fight, maybe next year sometime. But this fight? I’d love to get him out nice and early. I want to sit back and watch Bellew and Cleverly get it on.

“I am confident due to the experience I’ve picked up and the expectations I put on myself. But I’m not sure that Sprott will be confident that he’ll get taken out. So I’m sure we’re in for a good, competitive fight.”

Watch Joshua v Sprott live and exclusive as part of Cleverly v Bellew II, on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, with Groves, DeGale, Quigg and more, also on the bill. To book go to skysports.com/cleverlybellew.