There is plenty to like about both unbeaten Deontay Wilder, the reigning WBC heavyweight king, and unbeaten Anthony Joshua, holder of course of the IBF strap, and there are some similarities between the two. Both big men are still somewhat green at the highest pro level and both have been called a champion is progress by the experts. Both men have real punching power, and already, fans and a few of these experts are talking about a potential unification showdown between the two that would be absolutely massive.
That one is a way away yet, and in the meantime, both Wilder, 36-0(35) and Joshua, 16-0(16) will keep busy in title defences that, in truth are not all that pleasing to the majority of fans (fans who leave comments on this website being particularly negative about Wilder’s upcoming defence). Joshua is back in action first, as he makes the first defence of his belt against unbeaten but untested fellow Olympian (another similarity between AJ and Wilder is the fact that they both represented and won a medal for their country at the Olympics) Dominic Breazeale on June 25th. Then, on July 16th, Wilder will make the fourth defence of his crown against the experienced, but possibly too far past his best Chris Arreola.
Both champs will fight in their hometown and both unbeaten stars will enter the ring as significant betting favourites. Who has the tougher assignment of the two?
Joshua, yet to be extended beyond the 7th-round, may get another quick win over Breazeale, 17-0(15). “Trouble,” as the Californian challenger is known, is talking a great game, saying he will KO Joshua and then look to fight Wilder himself, or Tyson Fury. But is there anything in Breazeale’s game that can trouble A.J? All big guys have some power, and Breazeale is a big guy. Still, the thinking is Joshua, with his straight as an arrow right hand, will land a big shot first. Also, if a smallish, not to mention quite old heavy in Amir Mansour can drop and hurt Breazeale, what will Joshua be capable of doing to him?
This one will be fun while it lasts, and hopefully Breazeale will unload the kind of bombs he is saying he will and will test Joshua at least a little. But Joshua simply has to be the pick to win; inside four-rounds for me.
Wilder faces a battle hardened or battle worn (depending on your pick) former two-time heavyweight title challenger in the always entertaining Chris Arreola. This fight, the critics insist, has come too late in the career of “The Nightmare” and it will be the Mexican/American who has a bad night. But Arreola is tough and he has that experience. It certainly would be foolish of Wilder to overlook the 35-year-old as he tries to put behind him the frustration of his big fight with Alexander Povetkin falling through.
Arreola, though, has looked poor in his recent fights; something he readily admits. How much has the man who challenged then WBC ruler Vitali Klitschko way back in 2009 got left? How much have the tough fights and the reported party lifestyle taken out of Arreola’s best asset: his punch resistance? If, and it may be a big if, Arreola can get Wilder on the backfoot and make it a physical, even ugly fight, he might have a chance at roughing Wilder up and at the same time avoiding his spearing punches. Arreola, 36-4-1(31) will be eaten alive if he stands on the outside.
The pick here has to be for Wilder to score win number-37, most likely by stoppage. Arreola figures to give it everything he has left in there. This one will go a few more rounds than will the Joshua-Breazeale fight. Unless either challenger is capable of tearing up the formbook, the fans in both London and Alabama will go home happy in June and July respectively.