This weekend features the biggest heavyweight fight since Lennox Lewis retired. In terms of public interest it is the biggest since Lewis fought Tyson in 2002. The highly hyped, obviously talented young knockout artist versus the veteran kingpin of the division in front of 90,000 screaming fans, a passing of the torch or a reset of the status quo? This is the third and final part of my series of articles that I have written to breakdown the fight. Today we ponder the ways the fight seems most likely to play out as well as take a look at the undercard.
Part 1: What is Wladimir Klitschko’s legacy?
Part 2: Who is Anthony Joshua as a fighter?
The biggest fight of the year so far is upon us at last. Tomorrow they meet in the ring and all questions are answered. Will Anthony Joshua put in a stellar performance and stop the former dominant champion, or will Wladimir Klitschko have another night of top form to add to his length list of achievements? Beyond that, will the fight actually be any good?
For all of Wladimir’s greatness, it is really difficult to go into one of his fights confident that the bout will actually be an entertaining product in the ring start to finish. That has not been his history. With that said, an Anthony Joshua fan very much better hope the fight has at least real moments of excitement. If the fight is a tedious, ugly twelve round decision, or a boring fight leading up to one big moment in a finish, it probably didn’t go the British star’s way.
Yet, there is hope. Anthony Joshua, though more measured post Dillian White, is a true pressure fighter with real power. He also fights in straight lines while using his feint heavy offense essentially as his defense. With his combination of fluidity, handspeed, power, and uncanny ability to keep his opponent off balance with feints, opponents just haven’t had the ability to deal with his skills while still launching their own attack. Wladimir is so many levels above Joshua’s previous competition, however, and Joshua will be physically be there for Wladimir Klitschko to hit. And make no mistake about it, for all the hype about Anthony Joshua’s very real punching power, he does not have more one punch knockout power than Wladimir Klitschko. Probably the only man who does is Deontay Wilder.
Wladimir is very comfortable, maybe even more comfortable, fighting backing up. He really does not like his opponent on the inside where he has become legendary for holding and leaning on his adversary. The issue with that here is that Anthony Joshua is a rare Wladimir Klitschko opponent who does not need to be on the inside to attack him. Joshua has an inch reach advantage. Furthermore, something tells me that British officials are not going to be kind to Wladimir if he begins his usual holding/leaning game. Certainly not against their young superstar.
Where does this leave us? The answer is anywhere and everywhere. Anthony Joshua could walk right through Wladimir Klitschko with big, powerful shots from the outside that Klitschko is not used to having to deal with from range just like Corrie Sanders did all those years ago. Anthony Joshua could win a decision in a really ugly fight where Wladimir largely refuses to engage and loses multiple points for holding. Conversely, Wladimir might find it pretty easy to hit young Anthony. People don’t stay awake long when Wladimir finds it easy to hit them. Maybe Klitschko is still able to use his old style here and do just enough to win almost every round in a fight where not much happens at all.
Maybe one of them will freeze and just not be themselves. Maybe some guy will come flying from the sky with a giant fan hooked to his back. Maybe AJ will bite Wlad’s nose off. Maybe one of them will fall and hit their head on the ring walk, canceling the whole damn thing.
This is heavyweight boxing at its highest level. I will make a pick here because it feels cowardly not to, but know that I really think this has an equal chance in going in any direction. I like Joshua by fifth round KO. Wlad is old now and the old heavyweight just doesn’t beat the young star. Plus, though he looks in spectacular shape, I don’t like how lean he is for this fight. When older guys start to lose their muscle mass, it is another bad sign. I also haven’t liked what I have seen in terms of video coming out of his camp. He just looks slow.
He could also knockout Joshua in two minutes and I wouldn’t be surprised. We don’t get these kind of hyped, uncertain megafights often. Even if the fight itself turns out to be a dud, and there is a good chance it will, appreciate the build up and atmosphere to this event. It has been glorious. It will only get better over the next 24 hours.
The chief supporting bout for the event is half a WBA light title eliminator between British gold medalist Luke Campbell (16-1, 13 KOs) against former WBA titlist Darleys Perez (33-2-2, 21 KOs). I say half an eliminator because Perez missed weight this morning and is no longer eligible to earn a shot Jorge Linares. Campbell, who has rebounded better than expected since his 2015 upset loss to Yvan Mendy, is the favorite here and rightfully so. A win would make for a big fight in the UK with Linares who just had two fights there with Anthony Crolla and is now a very much known commodity in England.
Scott Quigg also moves up to featherweight with Freddie Roach in tow. Katie Taylor fights her first ten round bout too. Finally, big time Matchroom prospects Lawrence Okolie, Joe Cordina, and Josh Kelly will be showcased as well.
For us Americans, the Showtime picks up love coverage at 4 PM eastern with an expected 4:45 ring walk time. HBO has the replay at 11 pm. The fight is on PPV in the UK and expected to do huge numbers. Tomorrow!
