Anthony Joshua faces the toughest test of his career on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium. The Watford-born boxer has a perfect record to date, with 18 wins and 18 knockouts. Joshua will be putting his IBF World Heavyweight title on the line for the third time after taking the belt from Charles Martin back in April 2016.
The challenger, Wladimir Klitschko, is arguably the most experienced and decorated fighter in the heavyweight division of recent times. Klitschko made his professional debut back in 1996; when Joshua was just seven years old. Klitschko has been in 68 bouts in total, winning 64 of those with 53 by knockout, 28 of those bouts were World Heavyweight title fights. Klitschko has admitted being the challenger for this fight has seen him maintain a harder work ethic.
But will his experience be enough to holt the power and speed of Anthony Joshua?
Anthony Joshua
The bookmakers are backing Joshua to continue his undefeated reign at the top of the Heavyweight division, offering 2/5 for the Englishman to win on home turf. However, Joshua is entering unknown territory in terms of calibre of his opponent this Saturday.
Joshua has explained, this is the type of competition he needs to show the world what he is about as a boxer.
Usually, Joshua is cool, calm and collected in the build up to a fight and this time is no different. However, there is usually a lot of confrontation and beef between Joshua and his opponent; Dillian Whyte being the most memorable. With Klitschko there is no beef, could this see a much more tactical, measured approach from Joshua?
Wladimir Klitschko
Klitschkho, the outsider, will give Joshua his toughest fight to date. The bookmakers are offering odds of 9/4 for the 41-year-old to beat Joshua and end his perfect win streak of 18 knockouts in 18 bouts.
Wladimir’s experience is a factor he believes will help him overcome Joshua.
Speaking on the Sky Sports feature, ‘Joshua v Klitschko: Gloves Are Off’, Wladimir stated: “Speed kills, that’s a rule in boxing. But do you know what kills speed? Anticipation.”
Klitschko will be prepared and ready to go the distance, but will Joshua?
Skybet – Fight to go the distance? – Yes – 5/2
Both Joshua and Klitschko fight with an orthodox stance and both stand at 6′ 6″ tall (198cm). Both share a similar reach, with Joshua obtaining a reach of 82″ and Klitschko obtaining a reach of 81″. Will the extra reach help Joshua to get that 19th knockout of his professional career?
Skybet Fight Outcome – Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO or Disqualification – 4/6
Joshua once sparred with Klitschko to get him ready for his fight with Kubrat Pulev back in 2014. However, this time it isn’t a sparring session. This time, it’s a heavyweight world title fight.
Suggested tips:
- Skybet Featured RequestAbet – Anthony Joshua to be knocked down and win – 10/1
- Skybet RequestAbet Specials 33/1 to 66/1 – Wladimir Klitschko to be knocked down in rounds 5-7 and Anthony Joshua to win in round 9 – 33/1
- Skybet @FootyAccums Special – Both fighters to be knocked down and A. Joshua to win in rounds 1-6 – 28/1
- Skybet Fight Handicap – Anthony Joshua wins in rounds 8-12 or by points – 2/1
- Skybet Either Fighter Wins – Either fighter to win in rounds 7-9 – 3/1
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko on the 29th April 2017, from Wembley Stadium, LIVE on Sky Sports Box Office
