Video: Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko - Preview & Prediction

After watching a lot of footage of Joshua lately, I just don't think Wladimir is going to be very confused by him. Perhaps Joshua is more deceptive than I realize. When Wlad finds his range, he's usually tough to beat. He did overextend himself with his first fight with Steward against Brewster, after he'd established the range.

But other than that? The only two times I ever remember Wladimir looking truly confused and unsure of himself was against Sanders and Fury. Sanders' explosiveness and speed was a nightmare for Wlad. It's as if he had no idea those where those left hands were coming from, and he wasn't an especially defensively oriented fighter back then, pre-Steward.

With Fury, it was all the head and upper body movement, along with unusual feints, and just an overall awkward rhythm that kept Wlad guessing.

I don't see any of this in AJ, and I don't think he has the type of rhythm or blazing speed that will keep Wladimir constantly guessing. Now AJ may well land something with perfect timing, or put together a good combination, or maybe he can outbox Wlad and win the battle of the range.

But I tend to believe Wlad will control the range, and I think his reflexes will still be sharp enough to make that happen.

If I'm wrong, I'll be quick to admit it.

 

Thanks, and I can definitely see that playing out, too. Regardless of what happens, I'm just happy that I'm finally fired-up for a heavyweight title fight. This is about as interested as I have been in the division since 2006, which was shortly after Vitali's first retirement, when I thought things were still pretty interesting.

 

Thanks! I'm willing to accept that AJ has faster hands and that this is something that can come into play. But (and I could be mistaken) I don't think there's a drastic difference in hand speed, and what Wlad lacks in hand speed, I think he can make up for with proper positioning and balance. I believe Wladimir has formed some bad habits since Steward passed, and I think he has clearly deteriorated physically, but I think the prized student remembers most of the important lessons from the teacher, and that his vast championship experience can also come into play. The problem with those techniques, is that what typically worked for Wlad throughout his reign with Steward, didn't work at all against Fury. I guess for me, I basically think these techniques and tactics will work against Joshua, or at the very least, I think they will be effective against Joshua even if youth does prevail.

 

I tend to agree with this, and even if Joshua does indeed beat Wlad with a huge statement performance, I still would tend to agree with this. Although I also think Fury may burn out quickly like Bowe.

 

Thanks! And same mic, I'm just using it a bit differently, and muting out the muddy camcorder volume which for some reason I usually used to include.