Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko – Heavyweight Boxing Preview & Betting Tips

Heavyweight Boxing from Wembley Stadium in London, Sat 29th April, live on Sky Sports Box Office at 10:00pm

Anthony Joshua faces a decisive night in the early part of his career when meeting Wladimir Klitscko for WBA, IBF and IBO world heavyweight titles on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd. Not only does the Englishman’s future hang in the balance here, the shape of the heavyweight scene for years to come relies on the outcome of this one.

AJ goes into what will be his 19th professional contest with a perfect 18-fight record, winning each of his previous outings inside the distance, and by some margin too. The 6ft 6inch orthodox from Watford was last seen cutting down American Eric Molina in three round for the IBF gong at the Manchester Arena late last year.

That one-sided contest ensured Joshua has never gone beyond seven rounds in his career to date, the two men to take him as far as that being Dillian Whyte and Dominic Breazeale. That would suggest another early night is a safe investment, and punters can back the home town hero to win by KO/TKO at 8/11 with Betfair. That’s tight enough, but is the best price you will get on AJ continuing his devastating form.

Thinking along those lines and there’s more joy to be had in sticking with the trends and having the jolly to win inside seven rounds. The fight lasting less than 7.5 rounds is an even money poke at Ladbrokes, and if you fancy these two greats of the division to come out swinging, that could be just the bet to help cover the cost of your PPV subscription.

Joshua vs Klitschko – Fight Preview and Predictions

Joshua will have the backing of a monster crowd at Wembley, but can’t let that affect his thinking. He must be patient and respect what’s coming back at him on the night. Yes, his opponent is fast-approaching the end of his career, but if anyone in the home corner thinks he is there to be bullied, they will have another think coming. It is a bit of a long-shot, given Anthony’s form, but if you’d rather have the value on him winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards for the first time, Sky Bet will reward you with a cracking 6/1.

Prefer to keep things simple? Odds compilers have the Londoner knocked up as a red-hot favourite, and you will get no more than 888Sport’s 4/9 on the belts going back to Watford. That does seem short for a fight of this nature, and in a match that sees Joshua step up a level or two, but looking at the CV of the favourite you would be hard-pressed to argue against the bookies’ stance.

Is Klitschko here to take a beating? A casual boxing fan would think so when taking a gander at the odds, but we don’t believe it. Wladimir has been a major force in the heavyweight division for years, bringing a record of 64 wins against four defeats. 64 wins – that’s incredible. Win or lose he will be remembered in the game as a true champion and ruler.

There are many in the sport who believe boxing would be a better place without Team Klitschko though. The brothers have had an iron grip over the top division for years, squeezing every last bit of interest out, and chasing fans down to the smaller weights in search of a bit of excitement. Where’s the Tyson’s, Ali’s, Fraziers, Lennox’s of yesteryear?

To be fair, things are getting better, and before we lost Tyson Fury to retirement it was setting up to be as competitive as ever. Fury, AJ, Wilder, Ortiz and Parker, all fighters who could, on their day, win a world title. The game is certainly in a good place at the minute.

Klitschko’s stats are frightening. He boasts a 78 per cent knockout average, that’s 53 KO wins from 68 fights. Another KO victory in London on Saturday would surprise no one, and you can get on at 7/2 with Ladbrokes. His last two fights have gone the distance, including that points loss to Tyson Fury last time, and he’s 7/1 with Sky Bet to win on the scorecards here. Victory, by any method, is 2/1 with bet365.

Joshua vs Klitschko – Betting Tips

The traders have got this right. Joshua is the winner for me, and there’s enough of a price to go big at 888Sport’s 4/9. That would rate as the NAP of my betting tips in the Joshua vs Klitschko fight, either to lump on, or as part of a Saturday accumulator.

Those looking for a bit more should pay special attention to the stats of Klitschko. He likes to edge his way into fights, remaining cautious in the opening rounds, and hasn’t seen a fight end earlier than round five since 2012. This one going over 5.5 round is 2/5 with most firms, but the value looks to be Joshua to win in rounds 7 – 12 at 13/5 with Ladbrokes.