Troy Deeney says Watford’s heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is a ‘freak of nature’ and expects him to defend his title against Joseph Parker.

The undefeated boxers face off at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium tomorrow night in a unification bout which could see Joshua add the WBO belt to his haul of IBF, IBO and WBA honours.

Joshua and Deeney, who will be in attendance as Joshua defends his titles for the second time, is a friend of the 28-year-old and believes he will have too much for Parker.

“He’s a freak of nature and a genuinely nice man. I just think he has the world at his feet and a lot of pressure on his shoulders,” Deeney said.

“I’m going to the fight on Saturday and I expect him to win – not that I want to put him under any more pressure.”

Deeney’s confidence is understandable considering Joshua’s record of 20-0 with all of his wins coming by way of knockout.

New Zealander Parker is no slouch himself and has picked up 18 stoppages on his way to an unblemished 24 career wins.

Regardless, Deeney believes Joshua will overcome the 26-year-old and feels only two fighters have what it takes to stop the 2012 Olympic Champion.

He said: “I just think there is maybe two people in the world that can cause him real problems and stop him; Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.”

Deeney has seen first-hand the power at Joshua’s disposal having witnessed him in training and uses Watford academy star Ryan Cassidy, who is 17, as the ideal visual metaphor for Joshua’s strength.

“Imagine a bull running into Ryan Cassidy. He’s a monster. He trains hard, is very specific and has built his team up around him well from when he started,” he said.

“It is all about reinvestment and if you want to be sustainable for a long period you have to reinvest in yourself.”