Wladimir Klitschko held the heavyweight division hostage for more than a decade. Fortunately, the “hostages” were set free after Tyson Fury beat Klitschko in 2015. However, Fury had drug and personal problems, which led to the cancellation of Klitschko-Fury II. Now, Klitschko has another opportunity to take back the heavyweight division. London’s Wembley Stadium will be rocking on Saturday as IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KO) squares off against Klitschko (64-4, 54 KOs) in a 12-round battle. Expect 90,000 strong at this big event. The vacant WBA heavyweight belt will also be on the line.
In a perfect world, Joshua, 27, knocks Klischko, 41, out, and fights WBC champ Deontay Wilder in the fall.
However, never underestimate the heart of a champion. Klitschko has been there and done that. Joshua has not. Klitschko knows how to get out of those “deep waters.” Joshua does not. Joshua has not fought anybody with the size and skill of Klitschko, but you could argue that Klitschko has not done the same. One of the reasons Klitschko was able to dominate the heavyweight division for so long was because of his size, skill, and strength. No one had the size, skill, and strength of Klitschko. Fury matched his size and frustrated Klitschko for 12-rounds. Joshua will match Klitschko’s size, but does he have enough experience to beat Kiitschko? Only 18 pro fights for Joshua. All of his fights have ended by KO. Joshua has not been past the seventh-round.
Last time we saw Klitschko, he could not pull the trigger against Fury. According to Compubox, Klitschko threw only 251 punches, and connected only 52 times. Klitschko is 41-years-old. He could be a shot fighter at this point.
We have seen the best of Wladimir Klitschko. When his career ends, Klitschko will be a Hall of Famer. I think Joshua will have too much size, too much power and too much youth for Klitschko. Expect Joshua to win by a dominant unanimous decision.
This will be fun!
