Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua returns to the ring next week on September 22nd against Russian Alexander Povetkin.

Outside of the Wladimir Klitschko fight, Povetkin probably represents the most dangerous test of Joshua’s professional career to date.

It’s easy to forget that in the grand scheme of things Joshua’s still only had a little over twenty professional fights so far and by no means is the finished article yet.

He hasn’t been given a chance to use development or learning as an excuse for a few fights now however.

After fighting dangerous opponents like Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker in recent years.

It’s going to be all tough fights from here on out for him, too.

But he’s been taking preparations accordingly more and more serious.

So much so that his promoter Eddie Hearn mentioned this week that he’s not even had a haircut in three months he’s been so focused on Alexander Povetkin.

The fight will also be the first fight on DAZN in the US so there’s added pressure for Joshua to get the platform off to a big start with a big performance.

As captured by IFL TV YouTube (hat tip) he’s leaving nothing to chance with trainer Robert McCracken: