Anthony Joshua has stated that his upcoming fight with Joseph Parker will be a bloody clash.

The two heavyweights will meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31, as Joshua looks to take the WBO strap from Parker to move one belt away from becoming the undisputed champion.

Parker has 18 knockouts on his 24-fight unbeaten record, and Joshua is expecting a brutal bout.

"I can't tell you exactly how the fight will go, but we're big, we're strong, and the punches do hurt after a while," the 28-year-old told Sky Sports News.

"I definitely know there'll be blood. There will definitely be blood, and the thing is - you can definitely hear the leather, cracking on people's heads, if you're close enough as well, and we're both fast. You'll see really good combinations that you don't really see from heavyweights."

Joshua also dismissed rumours that his weight has been deteriorating in recent weeks.

"Weight has never been an issue. I wouldn't make weight the main factor of what I've been working on in this camp. It hasn't been like a Weight Watchers camp for three months. I've been working on technique and stuff like that, rather than worrying so much about my weight. In terms of how I'm feeling, in terms of my weight, I'm comfortable," he added.

Joshua has won all 20 of his professional bouts by knockout so far.