Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko came face to face again yesterday, at a New York pre-fight presser too further promote their huge, 90,000 sell-out clash at Wembley. Showing mutual respect once again, the two spoke of the enormity of the April 29 fight. As reported by Gareth A Davies of The Telegraph, some members of the US media are saying Joshua has all the ingredients to become “The second coming of Muhammad Ali.”
Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua boxing news and latest headlines
George Foreman’s message to Anthony Joshua: Beware of veterans
Heavyweight legend George Foreman is a fan of unbeaten IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua, feeling he is a good athlete and a good boxer. But, going into his huge fight with Wladimir Klitschko – a fight that will play out in front of a record 90,000 fans at Wembley on April 29 – Joshua has been warned by Foreman.
Foreman’s warning is simple: beware of veterans. “Big George” says Klitschko (who will have turned 41 a few weeks before the Joshua clash) must not be counted out, that the former champion may produce a surprise in the big fight.
Anthony Joshua ready for “Defining Fight” versus Wladimir Klitschko
After just 18 bouts as a pro, all either quick or mid-rounds quick, KO wins, Anthony Joshua is ready for his “defining fight.” The big, record-breaking sell-out showdown between he and former king Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 will define the remainder of Joshua’s career, certainly – and AJ is hugely motivated to win.
“I tried to play it down, I’m quite like that – ‘It’s only another fight’,” Joshua said on the enormity of the upcoming fight when speaking with Sky Sports News HQ. “But emotionally you will always change how you feel about something. I’m going into the stage, emotionally, where this is my defining fight. I’ve done what I had to do to become [IBF] champion, which is great. But when we talk about defining fights, this is one that could change the perspective of my credibility within my industry. That’s why this fight is important.”
Klitschko’s trainer: We don’t know how strong Joshua’s chin is, but Wladimir does not have a weak chin
Most fight fans agree the upcoming April clash between young champ Anthony Joshua and “old” ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko is pretty much a 50-50 fight; certainly a tough one to pick a winner from. Fans also hope the Wembley mega-event that has smashed all previous ticket sales in the UK is a great fight.
One man who believes it will be “explosive” and “will not last too long,” is Klitschko’s co-trainer James Ali Bashir. Bashir in speaking with BaylorIC TV, said that “someone is getting knocked out” on April 29.
David Haye says he has five fights left; says Joshua, Fury are potential targets
Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is thinking big in this, the final phase of his career as a fighter. Having just formed his own promotional company – Hayemaker Ringstar with Richard Schaefer as his partner – the 36-year-old says he feels he has five fights left in which to “prove what I need to prove before I retire.”
Haye of course faces Tony Bellew on March 4, but he is already looking at bigger fights in which to cement his legacy. Haye said he is looking at a big “box office clash” against Anthony Joshua and/or Tyson Fury.
Hearn predicts “A very painful night” for Klitschko when he fights Joshua
Barry Hearn, father of course of Eddie Hearn, is convinced IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is not only the real deal but also just about unbeatable. Hearn, speaking with Sky Sports News HQ, says he sees only one winner on April 29, when Joshua, 18-0(18) will face former champ Wladimir Klitschko, 64-4(53) in a bout that will also contest the vacant WBA heavyweight title.
The Joshua Paradox
In the wake of Anthony Joshua’s latest victory and after the announcement of his 2017 contest against a fighter of note in Wladimir Klitschko, we look to discuss if the IBF Heavyweight Champion will ever gain the respect of ‘hardcore’ boxing fans or will be forever seen as a poster boy for ‘casuals’ and the increasing wave of new boxing fans.
Joshua is an Olympic Champion, and however you view his victory over Charles Martin in terms of credibility, he is also a recognised World Champion. Whilst he hasn’t yet been pitted against the divisions top level operators he appears to receive very little acclaim for his achievements to date from many long standing boxing fans.
Hearn: AJ-Wilder unification showdown will happen late 2017 or early 2018
The heavyweight division could have two enormous world title fights next year. As fans know, Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko will meet in an April blockbuster in 2017, and after that, another, perhaps even bigger fight could take place.
Recently, WBC heavyweight ruler Deontay Wildeer said that “all being well” he will make his ring return in February and “get the winner of the Joshua and Klitschko fight next,” and yesterday, promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports that he sees the unification fight happening soon enough – perhaps towards the end of next year.
Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko: The Richest Fight in Boxing History – or certainly the most expensive
Boxing history could be made on April 29th at Wembley in London, in a number of ways. The heavyweight title clash between reigning and defending IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua and former lineal king Wladimir Klitschko – which will also contest the vacant WBA belt – could smash the record for most tickets sold for a boxing match. The current record of almost 80,000 tickets sold was set by Carl Froch and George Groves a couple of years back, but now there are realistic expectations of 90,000 tickets being shifted for the clash of generations next April.
If Klitschko wins he will be one of the very few three-time heavyweight champions in history, and as far as ticket prices go for the big fight, the record for the most expensive ringside seat will be broken next April. How much for a VIP ringside seat? £800? No. £1,000? No. £1,500? No again. A VIP seat at ringside can be yours for, get this……£2,000 (approx $2,490 US). A regular ringside ticket will set you back the considerable sum of £800.
Joshua vs Klitschko – April 29 at the Wembley Stadium in London / Videos
The first period of ticket sales for the World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladmir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE will commence at midday on Friday December 16.
There will be two periods of ticket sales for the event and coach packages are available in order to maximise the available capacity at Wembley.
The first batch of tickets on sale from Friday December 16 as follows: