Anthony Joshua is refusing to get caught up in talk of potential fights against heavyweight stars, instead preferring to focus on his own development after becoming the first person to stop Kevin Johnson.

The Watford-born 25-year-old secured a brutal second-round victory against the veteran American – who had never previously been stopped – at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.

And after a lethal finish to see off the 35-year-old – who has since announced his retirement – Joshua is keen to ensure he does not get swept up with talk of big fights against the stellar names of the heavyweight division.

Speaking after the victory, his 13th stoppage in as many pro bouts, Joshua said: “How far can I push Anthony Joshua is the most important thing to me.

“How can I better myself? If bettering myself takes me to being the best heavyweight boxer in the world then let’s go there. I feel so privileged to be doing this – I could have been laying bricks for a living but one day my cousin took me down to the boxing gym and out of nothing we are now making something work.

“So what have I got to worry about? I’m here to enjoy it and make the most of it. This journey is about bettering myself, not trying to impress anyone or being a fans’ favourite. It’s about my self-development and being a better person. I love fighting and its good times at the moment.”

He added: “I don’t mind who comes next and it’s not really about that – it’s about my own development. I know people are talking about me facing David Price, Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury and those fights will come at some stage, but right now I’ll go down the route my coach plots for me.”

Johnson had been expected to provide the former Finchley ABC fighter with the sternest test of his career to date. But the Olympic gold medalist claims he did not learn anything from the bout.

He said: “I don’t feel I learned anything much – it was just another fight. He’s a good opponent for now but certainly not the best one I will ever face.

“I wasn’t really worried about Johnson – he’s no Wladimir Klitschko or Deontay Wilder. If he had have given me trouble then I have problems. I’m supposed to beat these guys and in good fashion if I am to beat the better opponents that are going to come in the future.”

He added: “I said right at the start that I would just take it round-by-round. Training is torture and fighting is the fun part so it’s hard to hold back when you know you have an opponent in trouble. I also feel like I’m developing now so I’m getting a bit more comfortable with things like parrying shots. As I’m starting to develop then I’m starting to enjoy my fighting even more.”

And promoter Eddie Hearn admits it is becoming increasingly tricky to find opponents for Joshua ahead of his return to Manchester on July 18.

“It also changes the people who want to take the fight because unless there is massive money to fight Anthony Joshua they don’t want to take it – and I don’t blame them,” Hearn said.

“It’s been difficult to match him from day one but after every fight it gets even harder. He’s already highly ranked with all four organisations so he can get a world title shot whenever he wants but it’s about when he’s ready and when the right opportunity arises.

“Tony Thompson, Chris Arreola, Orlando Solis and Manuel Charr would all be great fights for him and they would all take it for the right money. But the only person who can stop Anthony Joshua is himself – but he’s not that type of person. I know he’s a competitor and he wants to be tested – but I’m just not sure that anyone can.”