British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua has sent a defiant warning to his heavyweight rivals, declaring he will “come back with a bang” and “take the division by storm” when he returns to the ring.

 British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua has sent a defiant warning to his heavyweight rivals, declaring he will “come back with a bang” and “take the division by storm” when he returns to the ring.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion, who turns 36 in October and has not boxed since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, explained his prolonged absence whilst firing a statement of intent to the heavyweight division.

Joshua acknowledged that rest and recuperation have been his primary focus for the first time since being crowned Olympic super heavyweight champion in August 2012, following elbow surgery to fix a nagging injury in May.

“This (boxing) is my life,” Joshua said at an event staged by his promoters, Matchroom, with new branding unveiled by the Eddie Hearn-fronted company.