Carlos Takam: A closer look at Anthony Joshua’s opponent
Published:
Cameroonian replacement is a durable fighter
Anthony Joshua will defend his heavyweight titles in Cardiff this Saturday night against Carlos Takam.
The Cameroonian-French fighter was a late replacement for Kubrat Pulev after the Bulgarian pulled out through injury.
You’ll be forgiven for not having heard too much about Takam. However, as the number three in the IBF rankings, he must be respected.
The Coral News Team take a closer look at the 36-year-old and examine whether he can trouble Joshua.
Strengths
With a record of 35 wins, 3 defeats, and a draw from 39 fights, Takam is certainly no joke. 27 of those wins came by knockout.
A former Olympian, the Cameroonian made his pro debut back in 2005.
He has been in with a couple of relatively big names in Alexander Povetkin and most recently Joseph Parker.
Both those fights ended in defeat, but in the latter bout, Takam showed his pedigree in going the distance with the Kiwi.
He had Parker wobbling a little through the middle rounds, too. Although ultimately just didn’t have enough to push through for the win.
During fight week, Joshua himself described his head as “like a block of cement”. Going on the fact Takam has only been stopped once in his career, that’s probably an apt description.
He’s powerful, and he’s durable.
Weaknesses
At almost nine years Joshua’s senior, Takam definitely does not have youth on his side.
He’s also taking this fight on two weeks’ notice, which could be a major issue in terms of his gas tank.
Eddie Hearn has said a pre-agreement was in place with Takam’s camp if Pulev had to pull out.
That call did eventually come and it would mean Takam is in relatively decent shape. He certainly looked it in the pre-fight press conference.
However, that could be smoke and mirrors on that promoter’s part – that remains to be seen.
Takam is going to give away close to five inches in height and that will give Joshua a huge advantage – literally.
While Takam has a decent record, the two biggest names he has been in with have both beaten him.
Povetkin stopped him and Parker won on points. Parker, in particular, has not yet shown he is anywhere near Joshua’s level.
That leaves Takam fighting an already-uphill battle.
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