World champion Wladimir Klitschko has said that Britain's Anthony Joshua is the future of the heavyweight division.
The Olympic gold medallist returns from a back injury on Saturday to defend his 10-fight unbeaten professional record against journeyman fighter Jason Gavern.
WBA and WBO title holder Klitschko, 39, has dominated the heavyweight division over the last decade and expects 25-year-old Joshua to do the same going forward.
"The future of the division belongs to Joshua," Klitschko is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
"I haven't seen an athlete as athletic, as big, as fast, as talented as Anthony and if he's going to continue the way he is, developing himself, the future belongs to him."
The Ukrainian, who has made 18 successive title defences, saw Joshua up close when he sparred with him last summer.
