Joshua: Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua predicted by fellow boxers plus special guests
Saturday 9 April 2016 23:54, UK
It's almost time for the IBF heavyweight title fight between Charles Martin and Anthony Joshua so we've asked for predictions from great boxing champions, a few special guests and one Hollywood superstar.
Evander Holyfield
Joshua doesn't fight like a big guy, he fights like a little guy who throws a lot of punches but has the power of a big guy when they hit. You've got more right-handers than left-handers and it is all about how people deal with left-handed people.
I think he is going to be a great fighter and this could be one of the fights of the year. These two are evenly matched. Joshua is fighting in England so you could have a really close fight.
Audley Harrison
Joshua will become the IBF heavyweight champion of the world. I just think all the cards are in all in his favour. Martin is coming to defend his world title but Joshua has the strength, fitness and power and he will get all over him as soon as he can.
I think it will be stopped in the middle rounds. The referee might step in or his corner might stop it because Charles is being too brave for his own good.
Tyson Fury
I think it's a hard fight for AJ. It's not an easy [fight] for him. He needs full credit. He's had 15 fights, is very raw still and has a lot to learn as far as I can see.
"The potential is there. He can definitely box, he can fight. He's a talent but like I said, I think it's early. I'd have to favour to Charles Martin, to be honest.
Paul Merson
I am going for Anthony Joshua to become a world champion. I think he's going to come out cagey and doesn't want to start brawling like the Dillian Whyte fight,#
This Martin lad is a world champion, so he's no mug and he's a southpaw so that could cause problems and I think Joshua will come out and show him a lot of respect. But as soon as his jab starts landing, he will work him out and stop Martin him in the fifth round.
Callum Smith
Martin is a bit slow but technically not bad. Joshua is quite quick for a heavyweight. It's hard to predict tactics in heavyweight boxing and he could take Joshua into the later rounds, where he's never been. It's always a risk to try to do that with someone who punches so hard so he also might try and catch Joshua before he gets caught.
I think Joshua will be cautious because he's fighting a world champion. Everyone at that weight can punch so as a heavyweight you've got to be switched on. I fancy Joshua to get the win by knockout in rounds four to six.
Deontay Wilder
I am going to go with my fellow countryman. I feel Joshua hasn't fought a top fighter like this yet. He [Martin] is going to be awkward. He's a southpaw and that is a big thing because I don't think Joshua has faced a southpaw yet, so he is going to find he is very, very awkward - both ways. This guy has as much height and reach as I do but he is awkward on top of that.
Shane Warne
Joshua is an absolute superstar - he's a proper athlete too with a great physique. [Martin winning] is wishful thinking, buddy. Big Anthony will put one on his chin. Martin is a good fighter but I'm backing my man Anthony.
Sylvester Stallone
Dereck Chisora
Personally, I see AJ taking this fight a long distance and keeping himself composed. Then in the later rounds he'll take him out. He's got a great skill set and he's very strong and powerful - he can knock you out with his jab. His jab alone will cause trouble for Martin. I think when he gets tagged in the first two or three rounds, he's going to realise that power.
Tony Bellew
Martin is the right opponent at the right time - he's never been in a fight or an event of this magnitude before. That will show on fight night. He will hesitate in front of Joshua and at that moment, the speed of Joshua will catch him, and it will catch him cold. I predict Joshua in the first two rounds.
James DeGale
It's going to be a rocking atmosphere and will Martin be able to hold his nerve? Will he be able to handle how hostile it will be? The boos, people calling him names. Will he be able to hack the pressure?
Questions are going to be answered about both of them on Saturday night. But I am expecting Joshua to knock him out inside the first six rounds.
Shannon Briggs
Charles Martin is impressive. A lot of people are sleeping on him, like it's going to be a cake walk for Anthony. From what I've seen of him, Martin's very relaxed in the ring, to me that's his strongest asset. If he can use that, coming to hostile territory, it will be to his advantage because I see something with his calmness, something big happening.
If Anthony can rise to the challenge, not fold under pressure…he's home and a lot of people will be going crazy for him. If he can handle that, he can do okay. Honestly, it's a pick'em fight. I'm on the fence.
Peter Fury
You can only go off the last fight and there were a hell of a lot of flaws in Joshua's last fight. He needs to do a hell of a lot better than that to beat Martin. Everybody says Martin is this and that but let me tell you, he's his stiffest test to date. A world champion, the same size who can punch and box. I think the odds are crazy.
Can Joshua come through it? Of course he can. We just don't know all of these questions which makes it an interesting fight. It's a good fight and I can't say 100 per cent what's going to happen but I'd slightly favour Martin. I think there'll be a stoppage either way.
Nigel Benn
Some people doubted him when he fought Dillian Whyte. He took some shots and came back. I thought he did a good job. He's so athletic as well. I think Joshua is 100% quality.
I know Martin is a southpaw. I saw him beat up a guy he put down a couple of times but against a southpaw, Joshua can just go for right hands over the top. I have to go for AJ.
David Haye
This is where we find out if Joshua is the goods or not. I believe he is, I believe he has the physical tools to get this fight won - and get it won in style.
This is his first world test - he's fighting a guy who's coming in with a world championship belt but I believe Joshua will pass with flying colours.
Dillian Whyte
If I am being biased, I would hope Joshua wins because I would love to have a rematch with him and fight for the world title.But I know Charles Martin as well. I wish Charles well and I hope he wins so I am going to sit on the fence for this one. It's a very tricky fight and a dangerous fight so I am going to sit on the fence.
Nathan Cleverly
It's a good fight. Martin isn't the best world champion but he's decent, punches hard and accurately. He's got good timing so it's tough for Anthony at this stage in his career. Is it too soon? Initially, I fancied Martin but on second thoughts, Joshua has too much fire and hunger.
I think Joshua will just have too much for Martin. I think he'll come out positive, looking to make a statement and establish himself to prove a point. He'll put it on Martin, who'll show his experience but my prediction is Joshua by knockout in the mid to late rounds.
Darren Barker
I am going to go for Joshua by a late stoppage for Joshua. I've been hearing good things about Martin, like he doesn't lose many rounds in sparring and he's a good tactician and has decent ringcraft.
But Anthony Joshua, with his training, his conditioning and his preparation, I just thing in the later rounds he will get to him. Anything can happen in a heavyweight fight but I think neither is going to take any chances early on.
Jamie Redknapp
It is going to be a cracking atmosphere and I can't wait. I can't see it going into the late rounds and within three or four rounds I think Joshua stops him. I just think his power will be too much for Martin to handle and he'll stop him.
Anthony will be all over him from the start but he has to be clever because this is another level up and Martin has to be good to be the world champion. There'll be all sorts of tricks but I am sure him and his team are ready.
Stephen Smith
I think Joshua will edge his way in and not take any stupid chances so he doesn't get caught with any big shots early - but as soon as he lands, he'll make Martin know he's in for a fight.
I just think it will take a couple of rounds to get into his rhythm against a southpaw and fine his range but I don't see it going too long. I am going for Joshua in between rounds four and six.
Spencer Oliver
I don't see it going past six rounds. You've got two guys in there with phenomenal power, they're both unbeaten with big knockout records and one of them is going to get caught. I believe that's going to be Martin and we are going to have a new heavyweight champion of the world in Anthony Joshua. It could happen earlier but I am sticking with inside six.
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua is live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online now.
