Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko: What’s been said so far
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Regardless of the result on 29 April, Anthony Joshua is expected to pick up a mind-boggling £10m for his bout with Wladimir Klitschko. It’s the fight every boxing fan wants to see, but AJ has already set his sights on even bigger challenges in the coming years.
And his latest comments suggest said prize money will seem like loose change in the near future, with the Brit targeting regular £100m fights.
He told GQ: “If I’m making £10m from my next fight, my next target has to be making ten times that.”
He added: “If I get to £100 million to £150 million [per fight paydays], why not go for the billion [in career earnings]? I know self-made billionaires. It’s hard, but it’s possible.”
It’s fair to say the London-born fighter certainly isn’t lacking in confidence.
But enough about AJ’s plans. What’s been said between the pair in the build-up to this bout?
In truth, not a fat lot.
OK, Klitschko did have this to say about AJ’s recent comments…
On April 29th I’m going to fight a wannabe billionaire. Fellas, how many wannabe billionaires did you “fight” in your life? I’ve none.
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) April 8, 2017
But we’re pretty sure that’s a lighthearted comment.
Thumbs up. From now on the nick name was made – “Mr.Billionaire” You’ve got to love AJ’s ambitions!
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) April 8, 2017
Both men have been busy preparing for this one, and they have a lot of respect for each other.
Thinking about the fight ??? pic.twitter.com/Iey9uH5sX8
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) April 10, 2017
Controlling my mind is the key to this fight. #obsessed #JoshuaKlitschko pic.twitter.com/8V9iz6KHUy
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) April 11, 2017
For once, it seems, we head into a huge fight with no real rivalry evident.
Stepping into the ring to officially announce the upcoming super-fight after Joshua’s TKO victory over Eric Molina back in December, Dr Steelhammer approached the 27-year-old, shook his hand and applauded his speech.
“A respectable man outside of the ring and a competitive man in it” is how AJ described his opponent – who will be looking to win back his IBF heavyweight title as well as the vacant WBA and IBO heavyweight belts.
Here’s what the public are saying in the build-up to this one…
Watching Wladimir spar. If you believe what we’re watching, he’s been transformed into an elusive backfoot counter puncher #joshuaklitschko
— Ron Lewis (@RonLewisTimes) April 6, 2017
The closer it gets, the more intriguing the #joshuaklitschko match-up is looking. Klitschko won’t be turning up just for a pay day.
— Hammy® (@HammyHamilton86) April 1, 2017
Cant wait for #joshuaklitschko fight two great boxers. Different class from what joshua is used to fighting though power vrs patience
— Ian Pilling (@Pilongalatere) April 1, 2017
28 days left for the champ to get his belts back #joshuaklitschko https://t.co/FHp4KGtDk9
— KG (@kerem6okce) April 1, 2017
Joshua has worked in Klitschko’s camp in the past, and the veteran fighter will be well aware of the power his opponent possesses. But he won’t be drawn into the kind of mind games he ended up participating in with Tyson Fury in his last fight.
Of course, there’s still plenty of time for words to be exchanged between the pair given that the fight is still over two weeks away. But we’d be surprised if there’s anything other than mutual respect between the two powerhouses right up to the first bell.
Klitschko finds himself in unfamiliar territory here, heading into this bout as the outsider at 9/4, while AJ is 4/11 to make it 19-0.
Click here for a full list of Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
