Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko fight to establish themselves as the world’s leading heavyweight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
IBF champion Joshua also hopes to win the WBA title last held by Tyson Fury, while Klitschko attempts to become a world champion for the third time.
Joshua tipped the scales at a career-heaviest, while Klitschko was his lightest since 2009.
Here, Sport360’s writers give their verdicts.
JAMES PIERCY – EDITOR
Either Joshua is going to follow the script and blow Klitschko away, or the veteran is going to give him a maths lesson in boxing the percentages, retreating into his surgeon-like tactics, trying to pick the young upstart off round by round.
But 15 months out is a long time for a fighter of his age and Joshua’s speed and power will be too much, both in a defensive and offensive sense. Klitschko’s boxing brain will keep him in the fight points-wise but he’ll be worn down physically and eventually crumble.
Verdict: Joshua to win by stoppage in Round 10
Next Stop The Ring 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/5cdYmKCVe1
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) April 28, 2017
ALEX REA – ONLINE DEPUTY EDITOR
It’s redemption or retirement for Wladimir Klitschko, plateau or progress for Joshua. The fight takes on huge significance for both fighters but the pressure perhaps leans more on Joshua as the home favourite fighting in front of a projected 90,000 Wembley crowd. But it’s exactly that pressure which will bring out the best in him.
The 27-year-old is younger, hungrier, too fast and too powerful. Providing he can remain patient and pick his shots, the openings will come and it will prove too much for Klitschko.
Verdict: Joshua to win by stoppage in Round 8
ANDY LEWIS – CORRESPONDENT
It’s a huge step up for Joshua but so far he has taken everything in his stride and improved with every fight.
Klitschko may not be a spent force just yet, but Joshua is just so much quicker than him at this point, it’s hard to imagine the younger man not getting to him.
History tells us that youth often prevails when generations collide in heavyweight boxing and, barring Joshua making a mistake and walking onto something, I expect the torch to be passed.
Verdict: Joshua to win by stoppage in Round 7
Some people are questioning if Anthony Joshua can go 12 rounds...@tonybellew says he's been doing 15 in training #JoshuaKlitschko pic.twitter.com/YVkOB2VgDT
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) April 28, 2017
ALAM KHAN – CORRESPONDENT
Joshua might be reluctant to be his usual aggressive self in fear of leaving himself open to the counter punching of Klitschko, but he has to be fast and fierce at the start.
But if he finds his range early, he should have too much for the 41-year-old former champion.
He cannot allow it to become a cagy tactical battle because Klitschko has too much boxing nous and will use his jab to keep the Brit at bay and pick up points as the fight wears on.
Verdict: Joshua to win by KO or stoppage in Round 6
Changed my mind a few times but I think @anthonyfjoshua will go on a seek and destroy mission, win, and become the global face of boxing
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) April 28, 2017
