Joshua vs Klitschko predictions: Boxing greats Lennox Lewis, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield have their say on heavyweight showdown
ANTHONY JOSHUA and Wladimir Klitschko’s Wembley showdown promises to be a blockbuster.
And here’s how a host of boxing legends reckon the fight will go…
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LENNOX LEWIS – Former undisputed world heavyweight champion
We have seen a lot of Anthony Joshua‘s fights and he has knocked out everybody, so what has he learned? Where is the experience there?
Wladimir Klitschko is almost up to 70 fights so you have the experience and the old, against the new and the strong.
Can Wladimir’s body take any more? I will take experience but only slightly.
Klitschko
DEONTAY WILDER – WBC world heavyweight champion
My heart is for Joshua but my mind is always Klitschko.
No-one can count him out and I don’t think Joshua has the training or experience for Klitschko.
When you’re fighting a certain calibre of fighter and then you move all the way up to the guy who at one point was the ruler of the division, it is a big leap.
Klitschko
TYSON FURY – Former world heavyweight champion
Klitschko to KO Joshua. Just my opinion!
Klitschko
DAVID HAYE – Two-weight world champion
It will not go the distance and we could even see Klitschko disqualified for holding.
I hope Joshua lets his hands go and pressure the action even when Klitschko grabs and holds.
Hopefully it’s a strong, neutral and fair referee who is prepared to deduct points because the last thing we want to see is a Klitschko disqualification for holding.
Joshua is too young and too fresh.
Joshua
AUDLEY HARRISON – Olympic heavyweight gold medallist
For Klitschko to win Joshua will either have to run out of steam or make a big mistake at a crucial period so that Wladimir can capitalise.
Joshua has done everything right so far but this is his first step up to a new uncharted level.
Wladimir’s experience makes him favourite yet I still believe Joshua can upset the apple cart.
Joshua
EVANDER HOLYFIELD – Undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion
Joshua is one of the heavyweights who is a complete fighter, he can box and he had a great amateur career.
Klitschko should be able to out manoeuvre him because of his skill of mind but if Joshua doesn’t give him a chance to do that, what is going to happen?
Klitschko
CARL FROCH – Former world supermiddleweight champion
Klitschko is an ageing fighter but with age comes wisdom and experience.
Wlad was unbeaten in 10 years until he faced Tyson Fury and that was an awkward, torrid night for him. We may just see the best – and last – of Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko
GEORGE FOREMAN Oldest-ever world heavyweight champion
If I were a gambler, I’d see Joshua as a 6-5 favourite. So I’d put him just in front.
But Klitschko knows how to win and how to use his body size, It will be a difficult fight for both.
If Klitschko wins again… Oh my God… can you imagine that?
Joshua
DUKE McKENZIE – Three-weight world champion
Joshua is the future of the sport while Klitschko has had his day – boxing is a young man’s sport.
I expect Josh to win handily inside the distance but even if it goes to points there is only one winner – AJ.
Joshua
VERDICT: Klitschko 5 Joshua 4
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