BY TIM PARSONS

Even though he is going for the weakest of the available belts, it is nevertheless a genuine world title that defines the ability of the winner in the context of their place among the current tier of boxers.

Charles Martin is nothing special but he has never lost in 24 fights, and on top of that is a world champion. He is confident, comes forward, and an awkward southpaw. He also hits hard, so Joshua could possibly be exposed in this fight. However, because Joshua is a big puncher himself and has a decent jab, there is a general consensus that his chances of victory is at least 50%, and I’ll make it even a bit more than that.

If he stays focused and looks to outsmart and impose himself on the American, he may well come out the winner, and will be better loved than Tyson Fury who holds two of the world championship belts. The thing is that Fury had a voluntary defense after he beat Klitschko and he should have defended all the belts he had like a true champion. true champions take calculated risks, but the 6ft 9 inches gypsy did not want to take one. A rematch with Klitschko for more money than the first, which he may also win was not to be traded for a fight with a new IBF champion who wasn’t widely known.

However, dealing with his first defense would have added to his stock but try telling that to a man who has just earned £5m after being crowed world champion from a not so eventful fight. Joshua will be the loved champion if he wins, and Fury will need to fight and beat him if he is to be seen as the real deal. Its interesting how before this fight Joshua did not want to rush into a big world title fight or even one with David Haye, who has been begging for a fight with the 2012 Olympic gold medalist.  ”Opportunity’s change, we always have to make the best decisions at the time, an insider to the Joshua camp told us, after a brief attempt to get hold of Eddie Hearns failed because of his engagements. We think Joshua can beat him, but we will see.  On whether he will look to unify the title shortly after achieving it if he is successful, the insider said” let’s win the title first. We will take it one step at a tine”.

That decision was wise of Joshua and his team, but the golden opportunity  to fight a comparable opponent  for a fringe version of the world championship belt could not be resisted. Joshua will do well to avoid Haye if he wins the title and defend his title against less dangerous opponents who are still highly ranked in the IBF division, build his experience and fan base, then eventually get a crack at Fury’s title after he has beaten Klitschko again . Some people think Fury will rather go for Joshua after Klitschko than go for Deontey Wilder, since they both pose the same risk but Joshua may be seen to bring the bigger money as IBF champion of the world. Unless Fury sees Wilder as the bigger draw for money and better option in terms of successfully defending his titles.

It will be an interesting year for British boxing whatever happens, but be sure that if Joshua wins and becomes a champion, Fury will be under pressure to show us all who is the real  world heavyweight champ representing Britain, otherwise the public will definitely choose Joshua.