British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua takes on American Charles Martin for the IBF title on Saturday night having won all of his fifteen career professional fights to date by way of knock out. However, the former Olympic gold medalist knows he will have his work cut out against Martin and is prepared to go toe to toe for the title that Martin won in January after his opponent Vyacheslav Glazkov pulled out through injury. The two fighters came face to face for the final time before the bout on Thursday, with many predicting an explosive contest between the two.
Unbeaten American Martin certainly looks on paper to be Joshua’s toughest opponent to date, and the twenty nine year old will be looking to test a fighter who is still relatively raw and inexperienced at the highest level of boxing. Despite this, pundits are backing Joshua to claim the IBF title at the O2 Arena in London, with Joshua himself seemingly in confident mood. The London born fighter has predicted a stoppage victory and stated that winning the world title will fulfill his destiny in the sport. Bookmakers Betway give Joshua odds of 1.2/1 to overcome his opponent.
Joshua has become embroiled in a war of words with countryman and WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury over recent weeks, with a potential fight between the two being lined up for the future. Fury has predicted that Joshua will be knocked out by Martin come Saturday, whilst the challenger has responded with jibes surrounding Fury’s physique. Fury himself looks set for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, having been stripped of the IBF title after he failed to face mandatory opponent Glazkov. With an announcement regarding the fight expected in the coming days, Betway offer both fighters the same odds of 1.9/1 to claim victory.
Joshua overcame Dillian Whyte in his last encounter, stopping the Brit in the seventh round to claim the British heavyweight title. He will be backed by a rapturous home support in London, as the former Olympian looks to fulfill his enormous potential. Elsewhere on the card at the O2 is Jamie McDonald putting his WBA World bantamweight title on the line as he takes on Fernando Vargas.
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