Dominic Breazeale looking to KO Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena

American heavyweight Dominic Breazeale has questioned whether Anthony Joshua will be able to handle the pressure that he applies during their world title showdown on Saturday night.

Joshua is making the first defence of the IBF belt that he won in April against challenger Breazeale, who has won 15 of his 17 bouts inside the distance.

Breazeale is the huge underdog ahead of the bout at London’s O2 Arena but he has backed himself to cause a surprise by keeping the pressure on the Olympic gold medallist.

The 30-year-old told Sky Sports News: “I plan on putting on some extreme pressure and taking Joshua to places he’s never been. We’ll find out on Saturday night if he can handle it.

“I want him to feel uncomfortable at all times of the fight, every second of every round. Yes, he’s got rid of a lot of his guys in the earlier rounds, he hasn’t been taken into deep waters. Do I want to see him go into uncharted territory? Of course, without a doubt.

“I’ve been there, I know what it feels like and I’ve done it several times now. At the same time, I’m not going to let an opportunity pass me. If I see something I can take in the first, second round I’m definitely going to get him out of there.”

Like Joshua, Breazeale competed at London 2012 but he suffered defeat in the preliminary round.