Boxing

[red g]

I think Bellend is seriously over estimating his victory over a pre-injured one legged Haye

[Shaggy]

Predictions for tonight?

I'm struggling to call it. Fancy Joshua, just, but no idea how. Probably points.

[Gray]

11/4 on going the distance with BetVictor.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Klitschko for me. Don't think he is as shot as he looked against Fury. Think it may prove to be doing Fury a disservice by saying Klitschko was shot against him.



As I said in the earlier post, I don't think Klitschko is the sort to go into a fight and be happy to eat a loss just for a payday. If he is turning up against Joshua, then it will be because he is confident in his abilities and because his body still feels right.


Huge test for Joshua whether he is in against a 100% Klitschko , a 75% Klitschko or a 50% Klitschko because he is in with a genuine high level boxer with a ton of experience.


Be very interesting to see the strategies when the first bell goes.

Klitschko we can all make a pretty good guess as to how he will want to start in terms of tempo and where he will want to be in the ring. Cannot see him trying to dramatically change his approach at this point in his career.


Joshua on the other hand will probably tell us a lot in the opening 30 seconds. Will he come out and look to land early, impose himself, and try to set up an early stoppage, or will we see him show more respect than usual and try to go jab for jab.

The latter strategy I feel would play into the hands of Klitschko as he feeds off that sort of battle.

The power aspect is fascinating as well.

Klitschko has been in with pretty much every type of boxer. Technicians, brawlers, durable men, big hitters, slow movers and quick fighters.

Joshua on the other hand has never been in with a man that is as big as him who has the sort of skills range and power range as Klitschko.


One thing I am hoping to come from this fight, regardless of who wins, is that it leads to a fight with Wilder.


Little bit of trivia for tonight. If Klitschko does get a win, then he becomes tied with Joe Louis for the greatest amount of title bout wins at heavyweight.

[Darth Marty]

It seems a real 50/50 fight but I think that it will be over within 5 rounds. I cant see Klitschko living with the pace Joshua will set. Klit has a great jab but AJ will get close, rough him up & knock him out on the break. I dont think Klitschko has much of a chance and is as shot as he looked against Fury.

AJ R5 huge knockout.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Yep could well be over even sooner than that.


But getting in close to Klitschko is not any guarantee of knocking him out of his game plan.


For every fighter that has managed to get joy on the inside against him there are seven or eight that failed.


Don't think this fight will go the distance either way though.

Joshua has to set the pace straight away and he needs for that pace to be high. Think the weight that Joshua has come in at also says that he is going to try to overpower Klitschko. The worst thing that could happen to Joshua would be if he tried to start fast and Klitschko weathers it and manages to slow the pace down.



Would like to see Klitschko land clean though to see how Joshua takes it.

What I do believe though is that if Joshua does get a stoppage win that Klitschko being shot should not be used as an excuse.

[labourRed]

I'm pretty excited about this fight and i think i'm going to be underwhelmed to be honest, i can see go either way. Joshua hasn't been in the ring with anyone close to the skillset Klitschko has so it could be a learn-on-the-job long night for him. But also Joshua seems to have the power (if he connects) and loads up i'm not sure Klitschko will have the legs to take much.

Heavyweights always seem tougher to call.

[Darth Marty]

It really is a tough one to call. And to be honest I am on a terrible run of form when it comes to heavyweight fights.

Never in a million years did I see that pikey **** Fury beating Klitschko, and even then I would have bet my house on Haye smashing Bellew to bits.

What the **** do I know?!

[Darth Marty]

What time is the main bout ringwalk scheduled for? Its my ****ing anniversary and im out for a meal later. ah man, typical eh.

[spud_gun]

Wald for me.

He's going to monster Joshua.

[spud_gun]

Joshua weighed in at 250lbs.

No way this fight is going the distance.

[labourRed]

Walk in at 21:40... Fight to start at ten.

[Darth Marty]

ah ****. If its that early Im ****ed. Bollocks. I was hoping for an 11pm ko at least. Bollocks.

[rodo]

What time is the main bout ringwalk scheduled for? Its my ****ing anniversary and im out for a meal later. ah man, typical eh.

bet the mrs is delighted with your enthusiasm

[Darth Marty]

ha ha Its just a pain in the arse is all.