Both Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) head into Saturday's super-fight undefeated: someone's zero has to go.
All the talking has been done and there's only one thing left to do: make predictions.
Sporting News talked to people in boxing to get their picks with most of them picking Joshua walking out the unified heavyweight champion.
MORE: Joshua vs Parker: When, where and how to watch |
Joshua vs. Parker expert predictions
Showtime Boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi: I think Joshua wins by late-round knockout. I think Parker shows that he’s no pushover and he belongs in there. I think he’s going to have his moments as well. I’m hoping for a good fight, but I think Joshua wins.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder: "At this moment in time, I’m favoring Parker. The stuff Hearn has been doing is childish to me. It’s all about having power. It sickens me at this point. I’m ready to move on so I’m pulling for Parker. I think Parker will be able to make the fight a way lot faster than what Joshua’s been doing. Me and Parker are a little bit closer and that will make it more easier to come to negotiations if he wins that fight."
President of Sports and Event Programming for Showtime, Stephen Espinoza: "It does not go the distance. I’m not going to pick one or the other; politically or partially. I think we have a little bit of unknown quantity in that Joseph Parker hasn't anyone the caliber of Anthony Joshua before.
"We know that Parker is a skilled boxer. He moves well, he punches well and he’s athletic. He seems to be very calm. But you just never know when you continue to ramp up that level of competition.
"I do that this is the most dangerous fight of Joshua’s career, more dangerous than the Klitschko fight. He’s got a younger, more athletic, more agile opponent than he did in Klitschko. This one could turn out to be another classic."
IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Traux: "I’m not too familiar on Joseph Parker. I seen some of his earlier fights. From what I know, he’s a good combination puncher, pretty quick and has got the speed advantage over Joshua. But, I think he’s facing an uphill battle against 'AJ.' I would predict Anthony Joshua by decision. I think this might be his first fight where it goes all 12 rounds."
Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn: "I think he goes late. I think it’s a fight that’s going to play out quite similar to the Klitschko fight and I think Anthony Joshua stops him late."
Former super lightweight and welterweight champion Jessie Vargas: "I think that Anthony Joshua wins this fight decisively."
Steven Muehlhausen is an MMA and boxing writer and contributor for Sporting News. Subscribe to his You Tube channel here . You can email him at [email protected] and can find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA .
