TheCable

Carlos Takam says he can defeat Anthony Joshua when they square up against each other in Cardiff on Saturday.

Takam told Mirror UK that the fight will be an extension of the football supremacy battle between Nigeria and Cameroon.

The Cameroonian-French boxer who is a late replacement for the injured Kubrat Pulev said: “In Africa, Cameroon against Nigeria is a big derby because we are neighbours.

“Games between us are always big, it is one of the biggest rivalries in ­African football.

“Even though we are much smaller, we have had some ­famous wins over Nigeria. I know most people expect Joshua to win but this makes me believe I can win.

“I still have strong ties with Cameroon. My roots are there and I often ­return to Cameroon to see my family and friends. I started boxing there when I was 22, just for fun really. I just wanted to try it but then I fell in love with the sport of boxing.

“The whole country will watch me fight Joshua. I have received a lot of phone calls from Cameroon and everyone wants to see this fight.

“I will need three rounds to get maybe half of that public behind me because I know that everyone in ­England believes in fair play. Of course this fight will change my life and it’s a great opportunity for me, but it won’t change me as a person.”