Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko prediction: Who will win at Wembley and how?

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko will finally meet each other in the ring in front of a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday night in a 12-round heavyweight contest, with the IBF and WBA world titles awarded to the victor.

IBF holder Joshua is the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers, on account of his undeniable talent as well as the hype which surrounds him. His opponent, however, cannot be underestimated and is looking to reclaim two belts he held simultaneously for over four-and-a-half years.

Who will win? Our sports desk have made their predictions and the results may surprise you...

Ed Malyon
Sport Editor

41 is a grand old age, but with those years come great experience. Wladimir Klitschko has repeatedly put together smart gameplans to knock off opponents and he will be able to frustrate Joshua.

If he can use that famous jab to peck away at AJ and keep the scoreboard ticking, Klitschko will force Joshua into chasing the knockout. That is where Wlad will strike.

Wembley Stadium might just be very disappointed indeed.

Winner: Wladimir Klitschko, points

Jack de Menezes
Deputy Sport Editor

If Fury was able to negate every weapon that Klitschko has in the locker, then Anthony Joshua should have no problems in getting through to the veteran. It was Fury’s movement and unpredictability that unhinged Klitschko last time out, but this time around I expect Joshua’s power to break down the Ukrainian.

Joshua will have to be smart, as Dillian Whyte proved he is vulnerable on the chin, but Klitschko has never faced anyone as strong as Joshua and I believe he will find a way to hurt his opponent. At 41 years old, Klitschko will need to defy Father Time in order to weave his way around Joshua’s thumping blows, and while he may still be the better technical boxer, I’m backing Joshua to knock him out after the seventh round, once Klitschko starts to tire.

Winner: Anthony Joshua, stoppage

Mark Critchley
Sport Reporter

The problem in calling this one is that the second longest-reigning heavyweight champion of all time has become something of an unknown quantity. If that night 18 months ago in Dusseldorf against Fury was a true reflection of where Klitschko now finds himself, then this will be a sad end to a storied career.

Yet if I had to pick a winner, it would be the Ukrainian, and partly because he is being so drastically underestimated. Joshua is likely to try and use his power to bring about a quick finish and he might just do that. But if he fails, he will suddenly be trapped in the most difficult contest of his young career to date and in desperate need of a plan B. I don’t have much confidence in him finding one.

Winner: Wladimir Klitschko, points

Timothy Williams
Sport Reporter

Styles make fights and Fury was all wrong for Klitschko 18 months ago in Düsseldorf. More should be read into Klitschko’s laboured victory over Bryant Jennings seven months prior.

After a one or two round scouting mission by both men, Joshua will meet Klitschko in the centre of the ring and try to bring the fight to the erstwhile champion.

Klitschko may have some early success with the jab, and might even try to ‘Fury’ Joshua by jabbing and running, but he’ll eventually succumb to Joshua’s incessant flurries. Joshua to win by stoppage in rounds 6-8.

Winner: Anthony Joshua, stoppage

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Luke Brown
Sport Reporter

Anthony Joshua has not yet shared a ring with an opponent possessing even an ounce of Wladimir Klitschko’s talent and experience, so it is difficult to understand how he heads into this fight as the overwhelming favourite.

I think Klitschko will punish Joshua’s lack of mobility. Klitschko doesn’t have the strongest chin and doesn’t like taking big shots — hence how he customarily fights on the outside and clinches when opponents come too close — but if he can survive the opening rounds his corner will be confident that he will win on points.

Of course that’s a big if, but Klitschko hasn't been knocked out in over 13 years. Meanwhile Joshua has never boxed beyond the 7th round, never faced a jab like Klitschko’s, never fought an opponent so wily and so experienced. It will be an ugly fight and one that could well leave Wembley Stadium bitterly disappointed.

Winner: Wladimir Klitschko, points

Jack Austin
Sport Reporter

If Joshua is going to win this fight then it will have to be early on. The Brit has only gone past three rounds only twice – and has never gone past seven. You feel the longer it goes on, the more Klitschko’s cunning and experience will come into play. He may not be near his best, but I would be very surprised if the Ukrainian was naïve enough to allow Joshua to get within striking distance early on, given he has branded his rival just “a puncher”.

Klitschko will let Joshua tire himself out by trying to force the matter early on and then pick him off in what will be unchartered waters for the 27-year-old. I can’t see Joshua getting knocked out either, but feel it will be Klitschko with his hand raised on a points decision after 12 measured and calculated rounds.

Winner: Wladimir Klitschko, points