By James van der Dol

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Following Anthony Joshua’s stunning third round knockout of American Eric Molina on Saturday night, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn announced the news that the boxing world wanted to hear. On 29^th April 2017, Anthony Joshua will be facing off against the former undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium for the IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles.

The 40-year-old Ukrainian has not fought since his majority decision loss against Tyson Fury late last year. After this loss, fans and journalists alike were wondering if that was to be his last fight, in what has been an illustrious career spanning over two decades. He holds a professional record of 68 fights, 64 wins and only four losses. He has knocked out 53 of his opponents therefore gaining one of the best fight to knock out ratios in heavyweight history.

Despite this, 18 months will have passed since he last got in the ring when he fights at Wembley. Joshua also holds an outstanding record. In his professional career, he has faced off against 18 fighters and had beaten all 18 of them inside the distance.

Although Joshua is still unproven at the highest level and lacks the experience that Klitschko has, many believe that Joshua will steam roll the man 13 years his elder. Both have fantastic knockout rates and both have fought on the biggest of stages.

We only have to go back to the last time he beat a British fighter to look at his true credentials. When David Haye fought the Ukrainian in Hamburg in 2011, Klitschko used clever tactics and completely out boxed the man from Bermondsey. With his quick jabs and his hit and hold style, he was able to out point Haye and win by a unanimous decision. Klitschko tried a similar tactic against Fury but the Brit ungainly style put the champion in a difficult position. This time it didn’t go his way, but you can bet that he will find some sort of solution just like he has throughout his career.

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Both fighters have displayed true professionalism throughout their career. Neither boxer give huge statements or play mind games with their opponent. After being undisputed champion for so many years, Klitschko has had to put up with a lot. This type of experience may help him get the edge on Joshua, who has had a fairly smooth transition into the sport from his amateur and Olympic days.

Putting all of the experience and the knowledge that Klitschko has, we are not forgetting Joshua’s raw and explosive power. Not one fighter that he has faced has looked close to stopping him in his tracks. Only two fighters have taken him as far as round seven and they were much younger and energetic than Klitschko will be in April.

If Joshua can get the win against Klitschko, it will get rid of some of his doubters and prove that he is a heavyweight force to be reckoned with.

With a record attendance estimated and it being held at the national stadium, this fight promises to be one of the greats and go down in boxing history. Let’s just hope it lives up to the occasion.