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.”
Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko boxing news
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.
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.
Wladimir Klitschko: I do have a lot of weapons
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has already said a number of times ahead of his April fight with Anthony Joshua how age is not, and will not be, a factor. Although he will be 41 come the April 29 fight for the IBF and WBA titles, Klitschko says this is merely a number and nothing more.
And, in a more recent interview with Eirsport, Wladimir says that he actually got faster as a fighter with age. Klitschko also says he has “ a lot of weapons” at his disposal and he will decide on the night which one he uses against the unbeaten Joshua.
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:
Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko is on for April, but will this fight deliver?
While IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua had an easy time of it in despatching challenger Eric Molina last night, fight fans are finding it harder and harder to shell out good money to see the 18-0(18) star bowl over opponents, one after the other, in easy, even scripted-looking “fights.”
Everyone agrees that AJ is badly in need of a test, but will this test come in his next fight – officially announced in the ring in Manchester last night, for April 29 against former king Wladimir Klitschko – or will the planned Wembley event prove to be yet another disappointment? Previous Joshua foes such as Kevin Johnson, Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin and Molina promised so much going in but, Whyte aside, they all flopped on fight night.
Wladimir Klitschko anxious to get back in the ring: “This year has been very frustrating”
Back in 1994, when heavyweight legend George Foreman challenged Michael Moorer in an attempt to regain his old heavyweight belts, he had not fought for 17 long months. When Wladimir Klitschko, a modern day legend, challenges Anthony Joshua (planned for next April, dependant on AJ beating Eric Molina on Saturday) in an attempt to regain the IBF and WBA titles, he will have been out of action for a similar amount of time.
Klitschko and Haye will both be at Joshua’s next fight, both want to fight him
Anthony Joshua insists there will be no added pressure on him, but the IBF heavyweight champ will have not one but two big names checking out his upcoming performance as they hope to fight him next. Both Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye will be part of Sky Sports’ broadcast team for Joshua’s second defence against Eric Molina, and as much as the two will be impartial analysts, both men will be taking mental notes on how to defeat A.J.