Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua met today for their first official meeting in front of the world’s media in what is expected to be one of the very biggest fights of 2017.
The buzz at the press conference really came across through the different pieces of footage shown today so far.
The number of clicks that could be heard from cameras alone was enough to almost drown out the fighters while the spoke at different points in their first press conference in the UK, indicating the incredibly heavy media presence in attendance.
There has been a lot of respect between both men so far and having sparred one another in the past on a number of occasions, you get the impression they get on fairly well.
But make no mistake, once that first bell goes and that first heavyweight bomb is detonated – all feelings of mutual respect will go straight out the window.
At today’s press conference – Klitschko on Joshua and his first impressions of him:
“First time I saw him perform here in London in 2012 when he became Olympic champion, so I felt this man is following in my footsteps in a certain way.”
Speaking on where he places him in the heavyweight division, he added:
“Whatever the other fighters say, I truly believe that he is one of the best heavyweights right now. No disrespect to other champions. Parker recently became WBO champion and Wilder is WBC champion, but I think Anthony is absolutely outstanding.”
Joshua is starting out as a slight favorite at around 1/2 to win the fight at the moment with the bookies, but many believe that Klitschko’s superior experience and professional skill set will be too much for him.
It’s a real 50/50 fight in my opinion.
Combine that with the fact it’s for a heavyweight title and between two very well known fighters makes this event has all the ingredients to be a genuinely mouthwatering night for world boxing.
Roll on.