By Edward Chaykovsky
IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) has a good hunch on how Wladimir Klitschko will attempt to fight him on April 29th at Wembley.
The two boxers will collide in a high stakes pay-per-view fight with the vacant WBA, IBO heavyweight belts also at stake.
Joshua, along with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs), have brought a new dimension to the division - exciting fights that end with knockouts.
Klitschko ruled the heavyweight division for a decade, but his fights were not exactly exciting. He often stayed on the front-foot, used his accurate jab until his opponent was worn down and then either put them away or won a lopsided decision. His rule came to an end last November, when he was shockingly decisioned in a major upset at the hands of Tyson Fury.
Against Fury, Klitschko barely threw any punches. Against Joshua, Klitschko has promised to let his hands go from the opening bell.
Joshua respects Klitschko's fighting style, but admits that he was far from entertained by his fights and does not expect Klitschko to live up to his promise of letting his hands go when they enter the ring. He predicts Klitschko will come out with the same technical style by using his jab as the main weapon to control the fight.
"I respect [his style], but it's not [exciting], no. His style has worked for him so you can't knock it. But you've got to land a few, give a few, work on the inside. The first rounds are always cagey but, by the fourth round, the fight has to get exciting. That Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield style scrap? That Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora style scrap? You never know, but I don't see him fighting like that," Joshua told Sky Sports.
Joshua has no game plan in mind. There are several strategies that he might attempt in the contest. He prefers to adjust to his opponent as the fight plays out and Joshua will likely go down the same path against Klitschko.
"Klitschko is very dominant at putting people on their back foot, on the edge of the ring. Even with Tyson Fury, a bigger and taller man, he had him moving. So sometimes you have to let him know that your presence is in the ring also. You could come out feinting, pushing him back. In the clinches, lean on him. Or you could come out dancing like Fury did, or come out slipping shots," Joshua said.
"It will be interesting to see which style I bring to the table against Klitschko. I like to adapt to the fighter. Maybe I'll counter him, maybe I'll move on the back foot. I haven't got a game plan. That's why I like shots thrown at me, because I figure them out. I'll hopefully figure out Klitschko as the rounds go on."