Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye against Tony Bellew will carry on an explosive start to boxing in 2017

IT is already another blockbuster year for British boxing as James DeGale fought out a compelling draw with Badou Jack, and kept his IBF middleweight title intact.

Irish favourite Carl Frampton is set for another meeting with Leo Santa Cruz in Belfast this summer to complete their thrilling trilogy following the Mexican's victory in Las Vegas in January.

Now there are some huge dates ahead David Haye meets Tony Bellew in their heavyweight grudge match in London on March 4.

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Anthony Crolla attempts to win back his WBA lightweight title from Venezuelan Jorge Linares in Manchester on March 25.

And in one of the biggest occasions in boxing history, a sell-out 90,000 crowd will pour into Wembley Stadium on April 29 to watch the heavyweight world title showdown between Anthony Joshua and the deposed veteran champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Sky Sports lead co-commentator CARL FROCH and pundit JOHNNY NELSON sat down with JOHN DILLON to weigh up the sensational boxing year ahead.

JOSHUA v KLITSCHKO

JOHNNY NELSON: This one looks like a great fight.

CARL FROCH: The danger for Joshua is this is Klitschko’s last hurrah. Klitschko is talking about being obsessed with winning this one to go out on top.

JN: The big question is why Wladimir didn’t perform against Tyson Fury? Was Tyson just his bogey man?

AJ will answer a lot of questions about Wladimir and about himself. And the timing couldn’t be better.

If this fight had happened last year as planned, I’d have said this is a tall order.

But AJ’s had time to get comfortable with his position as champ.

CF: I had 80,000 at Wembley for my second George Groves fight. But I’m proud of AJ for raising it to 90,000.

That’s an amazing thing for our beautiful sport in this country. But if it’s nine million or nine people watching, the ring’s the same size.

JN: Joshua has sparred with Wladimir and knows what to expect. Now it’s youth against experience. And this will be a great lesson for AJ.

CF: Josh has too much youth and enthusiasm for Klitschko. And with my old trainer Rob McCracken in his corner, it’s all set up for him. He knows the world is his oyster. I don’t think he’ll throw it away.

JN: If it goes to points, I’d go Klitschko as it would suit him to keep Joshua at distance, try to outbox him.

But Joshua hits too hard and, if it’s inside the distance, I go AJ 100 per cent.

CF: Joshua wins on points. I can’t see a knockout but Johnny Nelson might tell you that Joshua will smash him to bits. And that is plausible.

BELLEW v HAYE

JN: Tony Bellew and David Haye is a brilliant Bellew gamble.

In Haye’s last two fights, few people were interested because of the poor level of opponents.

So now Bellew is saying, ‘If that’s all you’ve got, I beat you.’

CF: I’d say it’s 60-40 Haye because of his past as undisputed cruiserweight champ and having won a heavyweight title — proving he actually belongs in that division more than Bellew.

JN: People who think Tony’s mad are thinking about the Haye of six or seven years ago.

But he’s been flat-footed and doesn’t look anywhere near fit or ready enough for a decent opponent.

CF: You have to favour Haye if he’s still got that explosive power teamed with his speed.

JN: If Haye turns back time, he wins via stoppage.

If Bellew’s gamble pays off, he wins by stoppage.

This fight is not going the distance, regardless.

CROLLA v LINARES

JN: Anthony Crolla saluted Jorge Linares for being slick and fast when he won their first fight on points.

Linares will be even more confident after that win.

CF: I’m a massive fan of Crolla. He’s British, tough, hard. But Linares is a different class.

I’d hate to come up against him. He would be my worst nightmare with his fast hands and his punching variety.

JN: I love Anthony and always back the Brit. But being realistic, Linares has this fight again.

CF: It is not impossible for Anthony but I have to predict another Linares points win.

JN: Internationally, I’d love to see Gennady Golovkin fight someone like Canelo Alvarez.

CF: Golovkin’s heading for 35 and takes too many risks.

Kell Brook exposed him — I’m not on the Golovkin bandwagon like everyone else.

2017 is the biggest ever year for boxing on Sky Sports.