The WBA and IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0) will be back in action this Saturday night in Cardiff, Wales as he faces the challenge of Carlos Takam (35-3-1).
Joshua was originally scheduled to face the challenge of Kubrat Pulev, but the big Bulgarian had to pull out of the fight due to a back injury. Pulev (25-1) was making his second bid to win a world title, as his lone prior loss came to Wladimir Klitschko. Despite his experience and resume, Pulev was a massive underdog heading into the fight.
And that is what Carlos Takam is for this one as well. Joshua is currently paying at -4000 for the match. Takam is experienced, and he has fought at a high level over the past few years. He is best remembered for his fight with New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, a fight he lost. Though Takam is every bit as credible as Pulev, he poses little threat to Joshua. He is smaller, less powerful and less technical and he is walking in with less than two weeks of specific preparation. Check back to see what the over/under for this one comes in at.
The fight is the main event of a big Eddie Hearn card set for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and is backed by two other world title fights.
Khalid Yafai (22-0) will be making the second defense of his WBA title at 115 pounds when he faces Japan’s Sho Ishida (24-0). Female lightweight world champion Anahi Esther Sanchez of Mexico defends her WBA title against Irish sensation Katie Taylor (6-0). Both Brits are huge favorites to retain their belts.
A pair of heavyweight bouts are also on the slate as contenders Dillian Whyte (21-1) and Robert Helenius (25-1) meet for a WBC regional belt and veterans David Allen (12-3-1) and Dorian Darch (12-5-1) meet earlier in the evening. Allen was favored against original opponent Lenroy Thomas and that will likely be the case when when a line is posted for Allen-Darch as well.
The lines currently out there for the Principality Stadium event are below. Check back at your sports books for changes and additional lines.
Principality Stadium – Cardiff, Wales – Showtime
Heavyweight 12 rounds –
Carlos Takam +1600
Anthony Joshua -4000
Heavyweight 12 rounds –
Robert Helenius +430 o9½ -110
Dillian Whyte -625 u9½ -130
Super Flyweight 12 rounds –
Sho Ishida +1000 o9½ -150
Khalid Yafai -1500 u9½ +110
Lightweight 10 rounds –
Anahi Esther Sanchez +3250 o7½ -130
Katie Taylor -7500 u7½ -110
Light Heavyweight 12 rounds –
Callum Johnson +105 o9½ -140
Frank Buglioni -125 u9½ +100
