Joshua vs Takam: Anthony Joshua defends world titles against Carlos Takam at top of exciting Cardiff bill
Tuesday 24 October 2017 10:42, UK
Anthony Joshua defends his world titles against Carlos Takam at the top of an exciting Cardiff bill with Dillian Whyte, Kal Yafai and Katie Taylor also in action this Saturday.
The WBA 'super' and IBF heavyweight champion continues his explosive career against Takam in front of 80,000 fans at the Principality Stadium, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
A number of Britain's biggest names feature on the undercard, including Joshua's bitter rival Whyte, WBA super-flyweight champion Kal Yafai, and women's boxing star Katie Taylor.
Anthony Joshua vs Carlos Takam
Joshua has been forced to cope with a late change of challenger as Takam was named as a replacement for Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, who pulled out through injury.
The unbeaten 28-year-old has found a finishing punch for all 19 of his previous opponents, famously climbing off the canvas to stop Wladimir Klitschko in April, but admits Takam could be the first man to take him the distance.
The France-based Cameroonian is renowned for his stubborn resistance and has displayed his threatening punch power with 27 knockouts in 35 wins.
Dillian Whyte vs Robert Helenius
Earlier in the evening, Whyte will edge closer to his own world title fight if he defeats Robert 'The Nordic Nightmare' Helenius.
'The Body Snatcher' has been seeking a shot at WBC champion Deontay Wilder and victory over Helenius will secure the WBC 'silver' title and a lofty position in the organisation's rankings.
But Helenius has title ambitions himself, along with 25 victories to his name, and has confidently predicted a crushing victory over Whyte.
Kal Yafai vs Sho Ishida
Yafai defends his WBA super-flyweight title against Sho Ishida and can further enhance his growing reputation in a red-hot division.
The 28-year-old stands alongside Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Naoya Inoue and Jerwin Ancajas as title holders at 115lbs, with major fights in the US a possibility, although he cannot afford to look past Ishida.
A fellow unbeaten fighter, Ishida has stopped over half of his 24 opponents and will have a sizeable height advantage over Yafai when the first bell rings.
Anahi Esther Sanchez vs Katie Taylor
Taylor, Ireland's amateur star, has made a hugely impressive switch to the professional ranks and can collect a world title in only her seventh fight as she challenges Anahi Esther Sanchez for the WBA lightweight title.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist marked her US debut with a stoppage win over Jasmine Clarkson in July and will be expected to announce herself on the world stage by ripping the belt from Sanchez.
Her Uruguayan opponent is a two-weight world champion and should supply the sternest test of Taylor's career.
