The blockbuster fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua is happening. After Joshua's third-round KO of Eric Molina in December, it was announced that the Brit would take on the Ukrainian at Wembley Stadium on April 29.
Klitschko vs Joshua is the biggest fight the heavyweight division could make right now and it should be closely contested. Books originally opened both men at -115 for a potential bout, but by the time it became official, Joshua was a -143 favorite.
Klitschko ruled over the heavyweight division for the past decade before losing a shocker to Tyson Fury in his last bout. ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ looked sluggish and – possibly for the first time – old in that bout but will enter his next fight with at least 12 months of training under his belt.
Klitschko still has power in his hands but he has done a great job adapting his style as his power has naturally declined with age. The Ukrainian has gone to the judges in five of his past 10 bouts.
Joshua has ridiculous athleticism and agility for a man of his stature – the Brit stands 6’6” with an 82” reach. AJ also mixes an absurd amount of power, with all 18 of his fights ending with his opponent on the mat.
It could be interesting to see how Joshua will fare against someone like Klitschko, as he has never faced anyone with the power or experience of Dr. Steelhammer. We have yet to see Joshua really have his chin exposed often, though he did appear to get rocked early against Dillian Whyte.
- Anthony Joshua -260
- Wladimir Klitschko +200
