Anthony Joshua’s new opponent once waited in a hotel lobby to confront him

Anthony Joshua might have been preparing for a different opponent entirely but that’s not to say his new challenge is an unknown one.

‘AJ’ knows all about Carlos Takam, the French-Cameroonian heavyweight who has stepped in for the injured Kubrat Pulev to ensure that a fight goes down in Cardiff on October 28.

In just 10 days, Takam will have the opportunity to shock the world when he comes face to face with the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion but it’s not the first time that they will have squared up to one another.

Last year, after Joshua knocked out Dominic Breazeale in London, Takam followed the Brit to his hotel and demanded that he fight him.

"He was a bit pi**ed off!" https://t.co/aMP5fKh4X9

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 17, 2017

So it’s safe to say that there’s a bit of history between the two who will take centre-stage at the Principality Stadium on October 28.

“After I fought at The O2, Takam waited at my hotel and said to me, ‘I want to fight you!’,” Joshua told the Mirror. “I said, ‘I’ve already had a fight’. I swear, that’s what he did!

“It was after the Breazeale fight. He came to the fight, then waited for me in ­reception. I knew who he was.

“He’s a big unit – 22 stone. That shows these fighters are now watching me, so Takam will know my strengths and ­weaknesses.”

Having spent the entirety of his training camp preparing for Pulev, some urgent adjustments will be necessary now for the totally different challenge of Takam.

And while Joshua will be supremely confident of adding to his perfect professional record, he has admitted that he might find it more difficult to put Takam away.

“In terms of style of ­opponent, he’s definitely harder to knock out because he’s incredibly durable,” Joshua continued.

“It’s not all about your Twitter followers – that doesn’t make you a good fighter. People say this person would have been a better fight because he’s well known.

“Takam has fought some good people, but maybe ­because he’s not so active on social media, the public may not know much about him.

“But he’s definitely a ­credible opponent and we can’t take our eye off the prize.

“This is his golden ticket to shock the world.”