Troy Deeney has described Anthony Joshua as relentless and is backing the Watford boxer to be crowned world heavyweight champion on Saturday night.

The Hornets skipper has built up a friendship with Joshua over recent years and will head to the O2 Arena, following the Premier League home game against Everton, to support the Olympic champion in his title showdown against Charles Martin.

After missing Joshua's victory over Dillian Whyte in December due to Watford playing in Sunderland, Deeney will be in attendance for this weekend's eagerly anticipated bout.

Deeney said: “I will definitely be there. I couldn’t make the last one because we were playing in Sunderland. I looked at every possible way to get there but it just wasn’t logical.

“Of course I’m backing him to become world champion. He is in there against someone with similar experience. But having seen the way Anthony trains and prepares it will take a very good fighter to beat him."

Recalling how the sportsmen were first brought together, Deeney said: “I met him in the barber shop a few years ago. I’m really looking forward to his fight and I hope to be a proud fan."

The pair have trained together several times and Deeney has been able to witness the unbeaten boxer's unrelenting work ethic and physical strength at close hand.

Deeney said: “He is relentless in everything he does. He doesn’t leave anything to chance. In his sport he knows that he ticks every box. In the boxing ring he knows he is at his optimum and I appreciate that."

Both Joshua and Deeney are enjoying success in their respective careers. While Joshua will challenge for the IBF world title tomorrow, Deeney has consistently impressed during his first season in the top flight with Watford.

But Deeney insists they have a different way of working in their respective sports with the footballer taking a more relaxed approach during his down time.

He said: “We are both striving for success. We are not the same characters. He is a perfectionist whereas I will work very hard when I need to but I also like to enjoy myself away from it too."

Although they are friends, both Deeney and Joshua do not actively court publicity together and prefer to keep it low key.

The Watford captain said: “I’ve trained with him a couple of times. We are both respected in what we do but we don’t want to make everything public all the time.

"I don’t want to be seen as an Anthony Joshua groupie and I’m sure he won’t want to be seen as a Troy Deeney groupie. We like to keep our friendship fairly private."

Deeney has been a big boxing fan for years and cites Joshua among his favourites along with Mike Tyson and unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook.

The striker said: “I've loved my boxing since the Eubank Benn fight. Probably the best one I saw was Frank Bruno against Tyson.

“My favourite boxer was Mike Tyson because he was so aggressive and had that fear factor. But at present I love Josh [Joshua] and I would also say Kell Brook is a favourite of mine."