Ex-sparring partner vows to retire Joshua in April

Nigeria-born Anthony Joshua is set to face a former sparring partner in his crucial comeback fight later this year.

AJ is in a rebuilding phase of his career following consecutive losses to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk and is set to return to the ring in April.

And talks over a spring showdown with Aussie southpaw Demsey McKean - a training partner for two of his previous fight camps - are currently underway.

McKean told Sky Sports: "We are one of the frontrunners for a possible opponent for Anthony Joshua.

"I could be (the man to retire Joshua) and I am very confident I can do that.

"But don't get me wrong, there is still more fights for AJ. If he loses to me, a top-10 heavyweight as well, that shouldn't be the end.

"People probably don't give him the credit he deserves, what he has done for the heavyweight game.

"He has brought a lot of eyes and money into the heavyweight division.

"He is probably the biggest name in boxing, everyone is after him, including me. It is the name to have on your resume.

"There are still fights to be made and people are still going to pay to watch those fights.

"But three losses in a row, does he need to keep doing this, he is well set up now?

"He probably still has his doubts, he still doubts himself a lot, I know that.

"But who wouldn't when they are at the top, in the limelight and cop a lot of criticism.

"There are a lot of factors but I have the skills to do that (retire him) for sure."

Although talks are progressing well, McKean believes the fact he's a southpaw could scupper the bout.

He said: "I feel confident if that fight goes through. The only doubt I have is that he doesn't want to fight a southpaw.

"It would be a shame. I have been on the brink of some very big fights myself. I have come close to fighting Dillian Whyte as well.

"I think it is sad that some of the elite boxers in the world pick and choose who they fight. We would not have had this back in the old days.

"Even with Tyson Fury a few years ago, when his fight fell through with Deontay Wilder and he was looking for a last-minute replacement. And again it came down to not wanting to fight a southpaw.

"The world has gone mad, and all these so-called champion boxers don't want to fight a southpaw. Let's hope he [Joshua mans up] and fights this time."

Joshua and McKean, 33 and 32 respectively, know each other all too well having taken part in several hard rounds.

And the undefeated 'Machine' is confident of putting what could potentially be the final nail into the coffin of AJ's glittering career.

He said: "I have been sparing with him for years, I have been in his camp twice.

"He knows it is going to be a hard fight, by the rounds I give these guys.