Anthony Joshua vs. Denis Bakhtov: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More

Anthony Joshua (8-0, 8 KO) is ready to step back into the ring, and he's looking for yet another quick KO victory. Not one opponent has gone the distance with the Olympic Gold Medalist and top-tiered young heavyweight.

Up next is veteran Denis Bakhtov (38-9, 25 KO). The 34-year-old from Kazakhstan has been around since 1999, but needless to say, he hasn't fought anyone near Joshua's level.

Make no mistake about it, he's in this position to give the prodigy some work, but nothing more.

The two fighters faced the same opponent in their last bouts. Bakhtov defeated Konstantin Airich by unanimous decision in eight rounds. Joshua disposed of him in the third frame. Joshua is extremely talented and he is quickly working his way up the ladder toward a shot at a world title. This will be his sixth fight in 2014, and there's at least one more scheduled before the new year.

Because of Joshua's talents, perhaps the only uncertainty in this bout is in what round he will finish Bakhtov. 

Here's the viewing info.

When: Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: O2 Arena in London

TV: Sky Sports

The Book on Joshua

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You know there's a concrete plan toward stardom when a fighter already has his next bout scheduled, with an opponent and a date just a month away, even before he faces the challenge at hand.

There's no one in Joshua's camp that expects Bakhtov to give their fighter any trouble. If anything, the veteran might be the first man able to extend his stay in the ring longer than three rounds.

In fact, that might even be the hope of Joshua's camp. Too many short outings won't allow the fighter to gain the experience he needs once the opposition gets tougher.

At 6'6" Joshua's length is formidable, and his power has been on display in a major way. It would be shocking if he doesn't ride the same qualities to another win.

The Book on Bakhtov

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

At only 5'11", Bakhtov has a huge task on his hands—literally and figuratively. He's giving up seven inches in height and a ton of reach.

Bakhtov has some power as evidenced by his 25 knockouts, but he's more of an undisciplined light heavyweight or cruiserweight who settled in as a fighter heavier than 200 pounds. In all honesty, he probably won't get close enough to Joshua to show us his strength.

Survival will have to be a substitute for victory.

Prediction

Joshua will win again in convincing fashion. Soon the questions about opposition will begin to rain down on the young and gifted big man.

To one with so much talent, a ton is expected. Beating up Bakhtov is fine for now, but it won't be long before Joshua is expected to face the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and even Wladimir Klitschko.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.