Win or lose on Saturday night, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom fully expects Anthony Joshua to continue his career.

Joshua is looking to bounce back after suffering the second defeat of his career, last September, when he was outboxed over twelve rounds by Oleksandr Usyk.

This weekend in Saudi Arabia, they battle for a second time for the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world heavyweight titles.

Joshua is widely viewed as the underdog in the fight.

If Joshua is defeated, it would be his third loss as a pro and his second in a row.

Regardless of what happens, Hearn believes he will come again.

"He loves what he does, AJ loves to fight," said Hearn to BBC Sport. "He loves boxing.

"It will be difficult to get a shot at the world heavyweight title [if Joshua is beaten again.] Why would you even consider retiring from the sport if you lose to the pound-for-pound number one? Unless you just didn't want to do it anymore."

Hearn has no problem with Joshua being tabbed as the underdog, because he believes that label will only make the British star more dangerous.

"You have to have the challenger mentality and I can see AJ has that this week," Hearn said. "That's when you are the most dangerous. Yes he has the cars and the money and the memories, but as we enter the ring on Saturday, he has nothing.

"People almost trick themselves about how good [Usyk] is. Yes, he is pound-for-pound number one, but when you hear all this stuff about him and you're already like, 'oh OK'. Before you know it, you're already drained. It happened when Tony Bellew fought him. He was up after six rounds but said he then started overthinking it. Joshua has already been in with him. He has seen it before, felt the power. It doesn't mean he wins, but it's a big help to have been there and witnessed the magician-like ability."