Anthony Joshua insists he is better for a four-month delay in facing Kevin Johnson and refutes the American’s claims he is little more than a media “hype job”.

The 25-year-old, formerly of Finchley ABC, will face his sternest test yet when he puts his 12-0 record on the line against 35-year-old Johnson (29-6-1) at the O2 Arena on Saturday evening.

Joshua had been due to meet the vastly-experienced Atlanta native on January 31 but a back injury forced the Watford-born heavyweight to postpone the bout. He has since seen off Jason Gavern and Raphael Zumbano Love with third and second-round knockouts respectively.

And he insists the enforced delay has only done him good. He told iFL TV: “I have got to approach Kevin Johnson like I have approached any one of my opponents. I can make it a hard night, I can make it an easy night; Kevin can make it a hard night, Kevin can make it an easy night. It is just a mind-set.

“I think everything happens for a reason and I promise you I am in a better place now than I was four months ago. My whole career has been about timing, give me time and you are going to see improvements. Four months has done me the world of good.”

While Joshua has been getting time in the ring, Johnson – who has not fought since last April – has taken every opportunity to criticise the Olympic gold medalist and most recently accused him of being a product of media promotion.

“He is a media hype job and let me tell you this, once this dude is out the way I’m going to show you that the future of the heavyweight division is right here,” said Johnson.

“I’ve said it before, I’ve got the antidote for this guy. It’s something all of these amateur Olympic guys have in them, you’ll see come Saturday – that’s all I’m going to say on that.

“I’ve been here for two months now and not remotely homesick – I’m hungry for something, and I know what I’m about to get.”

It is a claim Joshua laughs off, though, explaining: “I have got to take my hat off to Sky and [promoter] Eddie (Hearn), they are doing an amazing job promoting me. If there was no hype around me I would be complaining and knocking on Eddie’s door.

“Kevin seems to know they are doing a good job, that is why he has flown over here and he is fighting on Sky Sports.”

Yet to be taken beyond the third round in his short professional career, Joshua is relishing the opportunity to test himself against ‘Kingpin’ Johnson, who took Vitali Klitschko the full 12 rounds in their WBC World Heavyweight bout in 2009 and has yet to be stopped.

He reasoned: “It will at least give me a chance to showcase what I work on in the gym. A lot of my fights have been quite well controlled from my opponents, they have been quite good fun, (Matt) Skelton was a bit tricky but besides that they have been quite relaxed.

“Johnson should be able to take me a few rounds and I will be able showcase some of my boxing skills I work on in the gym.”