He has revealed his dream is to go for the fifth belt in 2020, after cruising to victory in his rematch with Andy Ruiz earlier this month.

But Anthony Joshua took time off from his gruelling boxing regime to hit the beach during his Christmas break in Barbados on Friday.

The shirtless boxer, 30, displayed his chiseled physique as he headed for a swim.

Festive: Anthony Joshua took time off from his gruelling boxing regime to hit the beach during his Christmas break in Barbados on Friday

Anthony, who is hungry to unify the heavyweight division, looked incredibly toned, with his biceps and rippling eight pack on display during the beach outing.

The athlete wore a simple pair of board shorts and a gold chain necklace.

Anthony appeared thoroughly relaxed as he strolled along the beach before heading to the sea to play a game of catch with a rugby ball with pals.

Casually-clad: The athlete wore a simple pair of grey board shorts and a gold chain necklace

Chilling out: Anthony appeared thoroughly relaxed as he dried himself off with a towel

The game is on: The boxer headed into the sea to play a game of catch with a rugby ball with pals

Anthony showed off his competitive nature as he dived into the water during the game. The boxer appeared in high spirits as he larked around in the water.

While the 2012 Gold Olympic medallist is taking a well-deserved rest, Anthony is readying himself for huge year as he attempts to defend his titles as well as unify the heavyweight division.

And the boxer is as hungry to unify the heavyweight division as fans are to see him try, revealing he would prioritise a Deontay Wilder bout over meeting Tyson Fury in the ring.

The Watford-born champion cruised to victory in his rematch with Andy Ruiz earlier this month – putting him back on course for an iconic clash with either of the other ‘big three’ members.

Fury and Wilder will fight for the second time in February, with the ‘Gypsy King’ challenging for the American’s WBC belt – while Joshua holds the IBO, IBF, WBO and WBA belts.

Reflective: Anthony, who has revealed his dream is to go for the fifth belt in 2020, looked pensive as he took in the breathtaking views

Living the life: After drying himself off, the star couldn’t resist indulging in a refreshing coconut drink

Work hard, play hard: The boxer is deserving some well deserved time off after cruising to victory in his rematch with Andy Ruiz

Competitive: Anthony dived into the water during the game of catch

On the New Year’s Eve special of the Graham Norton show, Joshua was asked which of his rivals he would prefer to fight next: ‘I really don’t know. Either one of them, it doesn’t matter.

‘The preference would be the champion Wilder because it’s a championship fight, but Fury is so talented as well and it’s the best of British so why not? I’ll fight either one of them.

‘The dream would be to go for the fifth belt in 2020.’

Ambitious: Joshua re-ignited talk of fighting either Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder with his win against Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, showing outstanding mental strength to reverse his embarrassing defeat to the Mexican in the summer

Giant leap: The 2012 Olympic gold medallist used all his athletic s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 in the game

Reach: Anthony showed off his athletic frame as he jumped out of the water to grasp the rugby ball

Time to celebrate: Anthony has headed out to Barbados after reclaiming his heavyweight titles

Wilder has voiced his doubts over the unification bout, and was highly critical of Joshua’s careful tactics in the ring against Ruiz.

However, with Joshua’s audience figures dwarfing the American’s in his recent Luis Ortiz fight, Wilder can’t sniff at the opportunity of taking on Joshua.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’s’ Fury saga is expected to become a trilogy, after the pair reached a split-decision draw at the end of 12 thrilling rounds in their first bout a year ago.

Joshua re-ignited talk of fighting either man with his dominant unanimous decision win against Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, showing outstanding mental strength to reverse his embarrassing defeat to the Mexican in the summer.

Talking on the shock loss, he said: ‘I feel that if you always look back you can always find a reason as to why you could have done things better, but honestly, I just got beaten by the better man.

Game on: Anthony used his famously quick reflexes to aid him in the game

Competitive streak: The boxer looked thrilled when he caught the ball and tossed it back to his friend

‘I have to take it on the chin and do it better next time.’

But Joshua recently admitted that he regretted publicly offering to spar British heavyweight rival Fury.

Joshua recently told iFL TV: ‘You know when I look back at some of the s**t I say I think, “Why did I say that?”.

‘So now we’re going to talk about it and give more publicised things to talk about!

Joshua is unlikely to do battle with Fury in his next fight. Oleksandr Usyk is mandatory challenger for the WBO belt and Kubrat Pulev is mandatory challenger for the IBF crown.

Bring it on: Joshua is unlikely to do battle with Fury in his next fight. Oleksandr Usyk is mandatory challenger for the WBO belt and Kubrat Pulev is mandatory challenger for the IBF crown