I'd really struggle to make any sort of confident prediction for this fight. Too many variables. I wouldn't be surprised with any outcome. Even if Klit is close to shot, he could still pose a problem or two for a guy that is going from Molina to WK. Experience will play a part. I hope AJ wins, he is better for the sport at this time. Let's make one thing clear though.....getting beat by Fury doesn't mean WK is shot. Fury is no slouch.
For the sport it would be great if this was a big fight, with drama on both sides, with both guys getting wobbled. With AJ winning in the end with a big KO after a war. I'm probably dreaming but this would be great for the sport.
This is a comedy thread Wlad knocks Joshua out; it's just a matter of when he will do it You're forgetting how he controlled and beat very good undefeated opponents like Povetkun, Ibragimov and Chagaev.......Joshua is not as good as those guys And don't give me that BS about Wlad has declined due to age .....he is in excellent condition, always has been, and has not slipped as many seem to think Vlad takes Joshua OUT in dramatic fashion.... bet on it !!!!
His left hook is a goodnight punch, especially on a chin like Joshua's. But as has been said, can he still do it? Been a fan since 99 and I want to believe.
The extent to which Wlad is being written off is amazing to me. Even if he's as bad as he looked against Fury, it would still be the toughest test of AJ's career. I actually favour Wlad 60/40 in this one. His cautious style, married with a quality jab and a great sense of distance is going to make him difficult to ko. He's used to going the distance and slowly figuring his opponent out - I'd be amazed if Joshua washed him. It would be best for the sport if AJ gave him the business but I don't think it's going to happen.
Joshua is not 6'9 with an 85 inch reach, nor does he have a great jab. He does have more power than Fury and might edge him in speed but against him is he's never been in a real fight except for a couple of rounds against Dillian Whyte. And let's be honest about Whyte, his power and ability is not near Wladimir Klitschko.
Will we ever see wlad fighting in the trench like his big bro? He had a chance with fury but he failed to do that. If he can show that with Joshua, it will put an exclamation mark in his legacy, even in losing effort.
Wladimir being anxious to not make the mistake again of not letting his hands go along with Joshua being upright and stiff, will end with Wladimir landing something big early. Watch.
I think it only goes six rounds if Wladimir wants it to reach that point. He is going to hide a hard shot behind the jab and put Joshua's Chin to the test at some point. What happens from then onward will be determined by Joshua's punch resistance.