Anthony Joshua’s latest knockout victory clinches April 29 bout against Wladimir Klitschko

Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua of England sealed an April 29 showdown with former longtime heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko by successfully defending his belt on Saturday in Manchester, England.

In his International Boxing Federation title defense, Joshua (18-0, 18 knockouts) decked Eric Molina with a right hand in the third round, then finished him with a combination punctuated by a right hand to the head that brought a technical-knockout ruling at 2 minutes 2 seconds.

“No problem,” Joshua said of fighting Klitschko when standing in the ring after his latest victory. “Klitschko wants his belt back — may the best man win.”

The 40-year-old Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) watched the bout from ringside, then entered as Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn announced the bout was official.

Klitschko reigned as heavyweight champion from 2006 until November 2015, when England’s Tyson Fury defeated by Klitschko by unanimous decision.

He said Joshua, “is the best man in the division, and this [fight] is what the fans want.”

Klitschko excited the crowd in Manchester by asking, “Do you want to see a big fight? With two Olympic champions? Do you want to see A.J. versus W.K.? You got it.”

Joshua continued his knockout streak to get there.

“I was patient because people are fresh early on, so we move on, looking forward to 2017,” Joshua said. “I’m not one to mess around.”

Texas’ Molina (25-4) assumed a protective posture from the first round, absorbing a right hand that backed the challenger to the ropes along with a second-round left uppercut that prompted a retreat.

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Klitschko emerged as a challenger after Fury relinquished his two belts in October to focus on “medical treatment and recovery” from reported drug use that scrapped a rematch and opened the door for what will be either an official passing-of-the-torch bout or the revival of the Ukrainian who dominated so many foes with his 81-inch reach.

“I’ve been doing this job for 26 years, so I do have a lot of knowledge and this knowledge will help me in the ring,” against Joshua, the 2012 Olympic champion, said Klitschko.

On the Showtime broadcast, unbeaten World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder said he wants to fight the Joshua-Klitschko winner later in 2017. Wilder is currently recovering from a broken hand that he said Friday should be healed by February.

“I am the best in the world and I can’t wait to prove it,” Alabama’s Wilder said. “We’ll see who’s the best. I will unify the division.”

Earlier Saturday, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (22-0) captured the World Boxing Organization heavyweight title, defeating Andy Ruiz of Imperial, Calif., by majority decision, 115-113, 115-113, 114-114.

Parker, who trains in Las Vegas, agreed to a co-promotional contract with Top Rank’s Bob Arum during fight week, increasing the likelihood Parker will return to the U.S. for future bouts.