This Saturday night (April 29, 2017) will see Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing at London’s Wembley Stadium for their latest boxing card. The main event, as befits Wembley’s massive size, has heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko facing off with the IBF and WBA world heavyweight titles at stake. It isn’t just that the two heavyweights are 6-foot-6, and both will be over 250 pounds when they meet this Saturday that makes this a “big fight.” Both men are also putting major all-time legacy points at stake in this one.
At 41 years old and with a record 64-4, Klitschko is already a lock for the Hall of Fame. He held versions of the heavyweight championship through 23 title defenses and nearly a dozen years before losing to Tyson Fury at 39 years old back in November of 2015. Though he could have retired after the Fury fight, he has remained single-minded in wanting to regain his belts and go out on top, and that is why he is here.
The problem for Klitschko is that he is not fighting Fury, he is fighting Joshua. And the fact is that for all his resume, Klitschko has never faced a fighter with such a complete set of tools as Joshua. Both are Olympic gold medalists, so both will be very technical boxers, especially for big men. Joshua is the first guy who matches skill and physicality well with Klitschko, who is used to towering over his opponents. A win over Joshua for Klitschko instantly becomes the signature victory of the Ukrainian’s career.
As for Joshua, he wants to believe he is just getting started. Many people discredit his 18-fight professional resume. By taking on Klitschko and his name recognition and place in the heavyweight division, Joshua is gaining instant credibility. A win will put to rest any talk that he has not faced a quality opponent and would leave Joshua as the clear brahma bull in today’s heavyweight division. That is what he craves. As we enter fight week, Joshua enters as a roughly 2-to-1 favorite. With Joshua playing host in his home country, don’t expect that to do anything but widen.
The undercard is lackluster compared to Hearn’s normally stacked and long cards, but this fight between Joshua and Klitschko has the potential to be the biggest fight of 2017, and it didn’t need much help in selling tickets. Cavernous Wembley Stadium is sold out for this one.
Wembley Stadium – London, England
Heavyweight – 12 rounds
Wladimir Klitschko +195 o8½ -115
Anthony Joshua -235 u8½ -105
Featherweight – 12 rounds
Viorel Simion +1100
Scott Quigg -2300
Lightweight – 12 rounds
Darley Perez +365
Luke Campbell -555
Click below to bet the fights now!
