Joshua: Do The Panel think Anthony Joshua will beat Charles Martin?
Saturday 9 April 2016 14:54, UK
After much consideration, The Panel are finally ready to reveal their official predictions for Anthony Joshua's IBF heavyweight title fight against Charles Martin...
Carl Froch
It would be nice to see him go 12 rounds against someone like Martin, a southpaw who can box and move and take him into the championship rounds. He needs that to move forward with his career.
The reason I want him to go 12 rounds is because his boxing will be disciplined behind his jab - using the boxing skills that won him the Olympic medal. It's difficult not to get emotional when you fight - but try to relax, box, and use your skills.
I think Joshua wins on points. Don't get me wrong, he could wipe Martin out - but I hope his trainer is telling him to 'box and move' and beat this guy on points. If Martin walks onto one, then Joshua has the punching power. But don't look for the knockout, let it come.
Jamie Moore
I honestly think Anthony Joshua is going to look explosive. I think it'll be done within three rounds. They both said on The Gloves are Off that it'll be a short, explosive fight and definitely won't go the distance. At some point, someone's going to land and I see it being Joshua. I think he's the more dynamic fighter with more strings to his bow. He has better feet.
The one question is southpaw. Is Martin going to be awkward and make AJ reach? That's a bit of a worry. I think look at it from the southpaw point of view, it's best to sit and wait, hoping AJ makes a mistake to punish. Try and let him walk on to the right hook as he comes in. AJ will look for the right down the middle and I think Martin might try and time him on the way in, but I just think AJ's got a bit more speed and if he starts to land flush, I think it'll be over in the first three rounds.
Johnny Nelson
Both fighters will get hurt, but Joshua will pull through. His power will be the key, it won't go the distance. Martin is like nothing Joshua has boxed before. Martin puts his opponents down early because he's awkward, not because he's a concussive puncher. You don't know where Martin's punches come from and that could put Joshua is trouble.
But Martin will be apprehensive against a big, tall banger. Will he think twice about stepping into punching range? If Martin is too hesistant, Joshua will take him out, and that's what I see happening. Once Martin gets hurt, he'll make mistakes, and that's where the crisp punching of Joshua will make the difference in the middle rounds.
Paul Smith
I always have a small wager on Joshua to win in the first round because he's so explosive. But you're probably looking at Joshua winning inside three rounds.
Glenn McCrory
I think it'd be a mistake for Joshua to come out firing. I think he'll be cagey and just try to get Martin on the jab. I think Martin will come out defensively-minded and will try to move around, using the ring. He'll want to get himself in the fight and take AJ a few rounds. He knows he's never been that deep in a fight and so they'll try to get him into the later rounds. Anybody would be mad to try and mix it with AJ early on, so I see Joshua stopping him in eight rounds.
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online.
