Anthony Joshua prepares in the sand as unbeaten heavyweight vows to make bout an uncomfortable one for Charles Martin

Having taken the heavyweight scene by storm in the last couple of years, Anthony Joshua knows he must stay on his toes if he is to keep up with the chasing pack.

Judging by the latest insight into his training preparations, it is clear the unbeaten fighter is heeding that warning, as he worked on footwork drills in the sand, while also using a specialised piece of equipment, known as a Vipr.

As is the norm, Joshua will come into the bout against IBF champion Charles Martin in exceptional condition at the O2 on April 9th, which will play host to another huge night of boxing, headlined by the man himself.

Anthony Joshua uploaded a video as he worked on his footwork and speed in the sand

The unbeaten Joshua was also using a Vipr as he rotated his upper body for more flexibility 

A clean eater all year round, the Watford heavyweight has been accused by former foes for having too much muscle, but in the Instagram shared clip, he is seen shuffling to and fro in the granular surface with considerable speed, which is all the more impressive for a man of his stature.

By no means is Joshua the first boxer to swap the conventional methods of training in order to have an advantage over an opponent, something the legendary Muhammed Ali was well renowned for.

Waking up at 5.30 each morning, Ali would don a heavy pair of construction boots and run for six miles in under 40 minutes, a trick he believed would make him more agile and lighter on his feet, once he stepped between the ropes.

Muhammed Ali prepared for his bouts by waking up early to run in construction boots

The 26-year-old has vowed to make it an uncomfortable night for IBF champion Charles Martin (left)

While many have tipped the American to provide Joshua with his toughest test since turning professional in 2013, the 26-year-old has backed himself to make it a difficult night for the southpaw fighter.

'I've got to expose him. I've got to take him to waters he has never been in. He's cool and calm so I've got to go in there and turn it into an aggressive, uncomfortable and unpredictable type of fight. That's how I may rattle Martin, he told Sky Sports.

'You've got to remember he's heavyweight champion of the world and that gives you some sort of confidence. At the moment he thinks he's the king and it must be a great feeling to have. I can only imagine that confidence he brings.

'Martin is confident enough coming to the UK so he has got the right mindset. I've just got to handle business and go in and get the win, one way or another.'