We all expect Deontay Wilder to beat Eric Molina this weekend and Anthony Joshua to become a world heavyweight champion down the line, but what if they were fighting each other NOW? We asked The Panel who would win...
Johnny Nelson
Wilder wins. He has that experience but he is too fresh, too young for Joshua right now. In fact, if I was Wilder, the smart move would have been to fight him this weekend because Joshua is only going to get better.
It's just common sense - for once - and even AJ admits that he is not ready. Their paths have crossed in training camps so he knows it more than anyone. It's not a big gap but at the very top, those gaps are dangerous. You're probably looking at another 18 months - then it will be a different story!
Paul Smith
I honestly don't know! Wilder proved last time out that he is far more than a one-punch knock-out merchant. He showed he's got skill and the one thing I do know, I would love to see these two fight. Maybe Joshua needs a little bit more experience, simply because Wilder has had 33 fights.
So right now - because of that experience and that alone - I am leaning towards Wilder. But Joshua will be a world champion and although I wasn't writing him off, he is actually proving he is ahead of where I thought he would be after 13 fights.
Glenn McCrory
I think it'd be Deontay Wilder. Definitely. There's a big gap between these two and there is plenty of learning that Joshua still has to do - and he knows that more than anyone.
Every heavyweight has a chance, especially one that can hit as hard as Joshua, but Wilder is 33-0 and of course, a world champion, which is a different world. I think he'd bash AJ up if it happened now.
Jim Watt
Anthony Joshua has terrific power and you would give him a chance against Deontay Wilder, but it’s too big a jump to say you would have him as favourite against the champion. Joshua hasn't had that real test yet and maybe you can say the same about Wilder.
Neither has really been in a testing fight where they've had to prove their character. I would probably be 60-40 in favour of Wilder, but if Joshua could unload his punches early, then he could knock any heavyweight out.
Jamie Moore
Both of them still have to have that chin-check but on the same note, if either of them landed a big, clean shot on the other, it would be ended there and then! The one difference I have seen is Wilder has a raw power, whereas Joshua's shots seem to have that brute power.
Joshua is still learning but he is learning fast and I am sure these two will fight down the line, but if it was this weekend? I'd have to stick my neck on the line, be patriotic, and stick with Joshua. But in 12 months time, we'd all be going 70-80 per cent in his favour...
David Price and Glenn McCrory will be in the studio for Deontay Wilder v Eric Molina, 1.00am, Sunday, Sky Sports 1.
