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Vinny’s Views: Anthony Joshua Vs Wladmir Klitschko Breaking It Down By the Numbers & Fight Prediction!

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1408538995679_wps_2_image_jpegBy Vinny “Glory Days’ Lucci

The heavyweight title match up between the two goliaths Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko has been awaiting confirmation long past an internet rumor. Ringside Report brings the fans the complete exploration and break down of fight slated for November 26 in Manchester England for Joshua’s IBF title. This was same date Wlad was to rematch Tyson Fury in a bout that had already been postponed once before. Fury pulled out of fight amid controversy a second time being unfit to defend the titles he lifted from Klitschko a year ago.

Enter the colossus named Anthony Joshua who was looking for a dance partner before the close of year and the star value attached to the name Klitschko made him contact Promoter Eddie Hearn to make sure DR. Steel Hammer didn’t look elsewhere for a bout since when he fights its always on the world’s stage. Hearn has expressed in media detail that negotiations are under way with a commitment due any day this week. The publicity and notoriety that goes with a win over Wlad would instantly help enhance his reputation over another big gun in the Heavyweight division who happens to be, Deontay Wilder who holds the WBC belt around his waist.

The physical stats match up and are truly imposing. Both men stand 6’ 6” tall and should weigh in comfortably at 240 pounds of exaggerated muscle. Joshua holds a one inch reach advantage at 82 inches. The young British champion is an Olympic Gold Medal winner from 2012 and while his relative inexperience pales in comparison to the former champion, he has the gift of youth on his side. Anthony is still far from hitting his stride at 26, while Wlad is long past is prime at 40 years of age. Joshua none the less owns an impressive perfect record of 17-0, 17 KO’s.

Klitschko’s resume is truly impressive but dotted with several losses that might taint his legacy forever. Surely being out hustled by Fury last November didn’t help his cause. Both men fight from the Orthodox stance. Wlad owns a record of 64-4, 53 KO’s. Even their pro debuts is startling by contrast. The Brit turned pro just three years ago in 2013, while the Ukrainian giant first laced up twenty years ago in ’96. His career has been a tad puzzling to both fans and boxing historians as he racked up 24 straight wins against unrated, but useful fighters until he was tested against journeyman Ross Purrity. His than trainer Fritz Sdunek halted the bout at the end of the eleventh round in a scheduled 12 rounder. He then rattled off 16 straight wins including winning the WBO title from Chris Byrd and defended it five times.

Disappointment number two came at the hands of power punching Corrie Sanders who literally walked through the champion and stopped him in two brutal rounds. Sanders who passed shielding his daughter from gun fire in a robbery gone wrong was rumored to have “Foremanesque” type power but was never truly committed to the fight game. Yet, losing to such a two fisted puncher wasn’t in itself anything to apologize about.

Two quick confidence builders and he was matched against another heavy handed fighter Lamon Brewster for the vacant WBO title. After a slow start by Lamon where he even tasted the canvas in the fourth he made a roaring turn-around and starched Wlad in the fifth. Rumors quickly circulated that Wlad did not possess the whiskers needed to beat the world’s best heavyweights. It was then the world stood up and took notice as the Klitschko era was born. He built another impressive 21 bout win streak which featured him winning a return bout with Brewster as well as winning the IBF, WBO, and WBA titles. New Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward (RIP) was credited for much of the success by teaching the tall gifted prodigy how to use his reach and protect his questionable chin.

It was a common belief that Wlad was simply too good to be upset and would retire soon with all the hardware that adorned his ring appearances. Karma has a funny way of introducing you to a reality check and nothing could be a crueler joke than big Tyson Fury mocking the champion at ringside, press events, and finally in ring center doing very little besides taunting him and still it kept Wlad at bay from throwing his hands. Besides the mental anguish of letting the entire fight slip through his hands he has now been inactive for a year due to two postponements of the rematch.

The fight itself presents several reminders of why the intangibles favor the champion. While the big Brit who has no moniker nickname has just won the title this year knocking out Charles Martin in 2 along with one defense against Dominic Breazeale in 7. He is younger by far, fresher, and not gun shy. The kid will enjoy home advantage in England, whereas his challenger enjoyed a long relationship in displaying his skills almost exclusively in Germany.

Both men will meet in ring center at first bell looking to duel sabers disguised as jabs in a feel out process as the fans and scribes await to see who launches a huge right hand behind one, and who gets there first. While both combatants are marvelous physical specimens to behold it is the former champ who most likely carries too much baggage that contradicts the chiseled Michelangelo sculptured body. His inability to fire combinations at Fury was a telltale sign that the reflexes are gone.

The sight of his brother Vitali a former champion himself urging Wlad from his corner spoke volumes about how age snuck up on him. Regardless of how well conditioned you appear seeing an opening and not being able to pull the trigger is a flaw that cannot be fixed. Father Time too has no sense of humor nor any patience. Against a very limited and lightly skilled fighter like Fury, Wlad had a chance of wiping the “showman” off his face. Tyson is known for not training hard which has many skeptics believing that issue is main reason the fight was called off. Even a few days ago, the entire Tyson Fury Cocaine scandal where he tested positive for it and then, went on a Twitter rant like Donald Trump that he did tons and retired and then unretired a few hours later pretty much ensure the Joshua Vs Klitschko bout is all, but made.

Joshua proved in his last defense that he can whether a big punch with composure, walk his man down behind a heavy jab and tight defense and pressure his opponent until a flaw presents itself. There is a belief that because of their size it will be a bomb fest of whoever land firsts will win. This isn’t WBC champion Deontay Wilder throwing caution to the wind. Klitschko will appear fearless and have a strong mindset to reclaim the throne. That is until his jaw reminds him that twenty years as a pro is perhaps too long. Unable to go to war with his young adversary, for inherent fear of being countered, he will be urged to pick his spots with power while Anthony will cross the line when he has to looking for the kill. The rounds on paper may appear even going into the eighth but the more telling power punches landed will belong to the champion. Somewhere late in the round Wlad is staggered and the kid goes for broke. DR. Steel Hammer barely makes the count, when he’s saved by the bell.

The turn of events reinvigorates Joshua on a mission of seek and destroy. The first minute of round nine he is all over Wlad with a two fisted thunder raining a carnage of power shots that leave the ex-champion unable to defend himself. His brother has too much pride to throw in the towel hoping his sibling can ride out the storm. So it will be up to the ref’s mercy to call off fight or wait till he drops and count ten. The torch will be officially passed.

Stay tuned….

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