In one of the most anticipated heavyweight bouts in recent history, Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko go up against each other at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 29.
Debate rages over who will leave the ring with the IBF, WBA (super heavyweight) and IBO (heavyweight) titles and our offices are no different.
So, to settle things once and for all [sort of!], Sport360 reporters Alex Rea and Alam Khan look at who will emerge victorious.
What do you make of both writers’ points and who do you think will win? Have your say by commenting below or getting in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
ALEX REA (@AlexReaSport) – ANTHONY JOSHUA
The beginning of the end for Wladimir Klitschko was evident two years ago.
In April, 2015, Bryant Jennings made him look ordinary. Klitschko lost rounds for the first time in years, appeared gun-shy and ponderous with commentators wondering if decline was setting in.
A few months later, Tyson Fury pulled off the extraordinary and totally outclassed Klitschko to end his nine-year championship stranglehold.
He hasn’t fought since that defeat, is now on the wrong side of 40 and faces both the future and present of heavyweight boxing in Anthony Joshua.
All signs point to a victory for the Briton. Yes, Klitschko is superior from a technical standpoint and he does hold a distinct advantage when it comes to years in the ring. But youth and, crucially, timing, are on Joshua’s side.
One Week Out #AJBoxing
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) April 22, 2017
Book 🥊 https://t.co/w5Zt3fWodF pic.twitter.com/ornDLk2CyC
If this was the Klitschko of 2012, the one which didn’t just clear out the heavyweight division but dominated it, then there’d be no question he would beat 2017 Joshua.
But time is a fight no athlete can win and no amount of “obsessing” from Klitschko can reverse that. The only reason there’s even doubt about Joshua is because we haven’t seen him truly tested. He was briefly rocked by Dillian Whyte but ultimately that was down to sloppiness in wanting to get Whyte out of there, which in the end he did emphatically.
Joshua is simply too fast, too powerful, too hungry and is fighting a man who barely threw a punch last time out. And it’s not just physically that Joshua holds the upper-hand.
Question marks remain over whether Klitschko really wants it. He was unravelled by the unpredictable nature of Fury and mentally was outfoxed before he was outboxed. Although Joshua hasn’t reverted to the same mind games and ‘Dr Steelhammer’ has talked a good fight, the complexion will change when a 41-year-old who hasn’t fought in well over a year tastes the power of a 27-year-old with the world at his feet and in his hands.
Klitschko has achieved everything and more but this fight will be a passing of the torch to a fighter whose glory days are just beginning.
ALAM KHAN (@alamkhan08) – WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
Ever since he lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles to Tyson Fury in November, 2015, Wladimir Klitschko has talked of hurt.
This was not how he wanted to finish his career, the loss a dark stain he was desperate to remove.
For two years he has been in pain, constantly questioning how he could be beaten by someone like Fury. And that’s what makes him such a dangerous opponent for Anthony Joshua this Saturday. He is wounded, but a warrior, a winner and knows what it takes to be king of the ring once again.
Of course, Joshua is favourite and should win against a 41-year-old, but he hasn’t fought anyone as good, experienced or determined, as Klitschko.
In boxing, the underdog can always have his day and Klitschko will know that personally from his last experience. Against Fury, he was a massive favourite, but struggled to deal with the Briton’s tactics and was embarrassed. He will surely have learned from that.
This time he does not have to be the aggressor, nor, crucially, have the pressure of being expected to win and excite the fans.
BEHIND THE ROPES... Start fight week for #JoshuaKlitschko by catching the unique show on @Klitschko. 7pm, Monday, Sky Sports 1 pic.twitter.com/Qndx9Q6aXW
— Sky Sports Boxing 🥊 (@SkySportsBoxing) April 23, 2017
That will now be Joshua’s burden and question marks remain about how he will handle that mentally. This is only his 19th fight and the eyes of the world – not just the 90,000 at Wembley – will be on him to become heavyweight boxing’s saviour.
For perspective, when Joshua made his winning professional debut in October 2013, Klitschko was in Moscow, defending his titles for the 22nd time.
With 68 fights, 64 victories, 53 knockouts, Klitschko has been there, seen it, done it, won it. He might be older, slower, but is of the same size and similar reach to Joshua so can hold his own in terms of trying to dictate the pace with his jab.
He can also, crucially, still deliver a decisive blow and, after being wobbled by Dillian Whyte, Joshua’s chin is suspect.
Klitschko will have to frustrate; jabbing, fending, holding, grappling, and if he makes him swing wildly and miss, the Ukrainian still has the ability to floor him or take a tight points decision.
The former champion has nothing to lose, everything to gain.
