Coral preview the big fight between Anthony Joshua and Carlos Takam
Published:
Heavyweights face-off at the Principality Stadium
Anthony Joshua steps back into the ring on Saturday night for the first time since defeating Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.
The IBF Heavyweight Champion will take on challenger Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium in-front of an expected 80,000+ crowd.
Ahead of what promises to be an exhilarating night of action in Wales, the Coral News Team bring you all of the crucial information about the two fighters…
What is Takam capable of?
Carlos Takam is no stooge. The 39-fight veteran has only been beaten three times in his career. Of those three defeats, two came on points with the other a 10th round stoppage against Alexander Povetkin. To put that into some context, Povetkin’s only professional defeat to date was on points to Wladimir Klitschko.
The Cameroon-born fighter’s main asset is a tough physique and great chin. As shown by his record, the 6ft 1in heavyweight will not be stopped early on. He has accumulated 35 wins and 27 stoppage victories. Takam will be in it for the long-haul on Saturday night. Whether Joshua allows him to get that far, however, is another question.
Takam will pose the former Olympic champion different questions to that of original opponent Kubrat Pulev. He’s shorter and rangier than Pulev, and importantly he can take punches. Don’t make the mistake in thinking that he’s not prepared either. Promoter Eddie Hearn had Takam lined up as a potential replacement before Pulev pulled out, giving him plenty of time to train and get ready to take on his British opponent.
What is expected of Joshua?
Despite Takam’s stamina and longevity, Joshua has what it takes to end the fight early. Even in defeating Klitschko in April, the Watford-born star was not made to go the distance. After a scintillating contest, Joshua put the Ukranian down in round 11 to bring an end to a dramatic contest.
So far in his career, the 29-year-old has only ever gone beyond the sixth round on three occasions.
He has won each time, defying a sixth-round knockdown against Klitschko to clinch an enthralling contest at Wembley. The Coral News Team are not expecting such a difficult test this time around, but Joshua will have to be patient if he’s to get the win.
Takam will not pose Joshua as many direct questions as his last opponent. But Joshua’s patience, technique and ability to find a way through against a tough and stubborn operator could make for an intriguing fight.
Big-fight odds
With Joshua priced at 1/50, there’s little to no value in backing the undefeated ace in the outright market. Instead, it’s better to look towards the round betting. Given Takam’s sturdiness and Joshua’s punching power, the Coral News Team are expecting the crucial period in the fight to come just before the midway stage.
That makes the even-money available on the fight lasting more than 4 rounds the one to be on. This bout will be a different type of test for the home-fighter, even if he should come away with the victory. Joshua to win in Round 5 is well-priced at 7/1.
However, if you want to oppose Joshua, then Takam is available at 12/1, with the draw priced even greater at 33/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
