I want to be a household name like Ronaldo, Federer and Messi - Anthony Joshua (Details, pics)

WBA World heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has expressed his desires to emulate sporting best as he hopes to establish himself as a sporting icon.

While speaking Sky Sports about his current status in the sport, Joshua said: "I do understand now, I have to play the game, if I want to create a legacy.

"I think I understand now, everything I have to gain and everything I have to lose."I've never played a role," he admitted. "But look at the likes of Muhammad Ali, who became a sporting icon."Before I was happy to just be a part of boxing, and felt wherever I get to, it was always better than where I started. I never had a minute to reflect.

The British heavyweight boxer also recognised that the way he conducts himself as a professional boxer would be important if he was to to take his place among the modern sporting greats."But now I want to stamp my mark and my legacy, and be among the likes of Federer."

"If I want to be considered like these guys, I have to carry myself the right way," the 2012 Olympic gold medalist added."I want to be like the Ronaldos, Messis, Federers who compete with Nadal, Murray. That's where I want to take boxing."

There's a lot of clowns in my industry, jealousy and negativity. I swerve them."Joshua, who recently defeated Carlos Takam by TKO on October 28, is currently in the process of organising who he will fight in 2018, and reiterated his desire to face both WBO champ Joseph Parker and WBC belt-holder Deontay WIlder.

"The situation with Parker, we have presented an offer to them, and we'll patiently wait," he continued.

Neither fighter has held back in their criticisms of Joshua throughout the ongoing negotiation process, leading to a series of aggressive exchanges with the Brit on social media."I want to be the undisputed champion of the world, and to do that I must fight Wilder and Parker."

"We staged a fight with one of the all-time greats, Wladimir Klitschko, and staged a fantastic fight at Wembley, where we put our egos and demands to one side."With Wilder -- who said I'm running scared -- the same situation, and we've been talking with his team.

The Watford born boxer also welcomed the prospect of a matchup with Tyson Fury upon his expected return to the ring, but only on the condition that the 29-year-old is successful in his efforts to get in shape.

"But I just don't know where Parker and Wilder's mindsets are and what they want. I just think they have poor PR management."

"It is a fight I would like to see but the ball's in his court -- he has to get fit.

"When he's ready, we'll open the doors, and if he walks through, we'll welcome him."