Finally, British fight fans will get to see Anthony Joshua fight for a world title. It feels like this moment has been coming for a long time after some explosive showings in the heavyweight division. It is hoped on day that he will meet Tyson Fury for a unification bout on English soil, but for now AJ faces a stern test of his credentials as he challenges Charles Martin for the IBF world title.
Both of these young men are unbeaten in their short careers to date, and despite coming from different sides of the pond their backgrounds are remarkably similar. Tough upbringings on the streets led to dabbles with low-level trouble and crime, but boxing – as it often is – proved a salvation. For Joshua, he will be hoping that his redemption is complete in the most glorious way on April 9.
1. Challenger as a Favourite
The fact that bet365 has priced the challenger (Joshua) up at 1/7 and the champion (Martin) at 9/2 really does speak volumes. Shock results do happen in boxing – witness Fury’s win over Wladimir Klitschko – but the fact that the champ was happy to travel thousands of miles to take the fight suggests he is already banking his pay cheque.
All fighters have a punchers chance of course, and those detractors who say that Joshua has no decent names on his resume are correct. But he has beaten some gritty veterans who don’t get stopped often, while Martin – with more than 80 amateur/pro fights to his name – is similarly lacking in class opponents.
One opponent does stand out: Raphael Zumbano Love. In February 2015 Charles Martin knocked out the Brazilian in the tenth road of their meeting. In May 2015 Anthony Joshua stopped him inside two. That is perhaps a great marker of the gulf in class between these two, and explains why bet365 have got their odds completely correct.
2. Joshua vs Martin Predictions
The fact that Charles Martin is a southpaw is interesting – it could take AJ a while to get used to the change of angle – but when all is said and done you would have to fancy Joshua’s punch power and conditioning to get the job done against the champion, who has at times appeared fleshy in the ring despite exhibiting high punch output and work rate (as far as heavyweights are concerned).
Charles Martin has never been beaten – but he hasn’t fought anybody with such dynamite in their right fist either. To put it into context, less than a year ago he was fighting Tom Dallas; this isn’t a champion that has done things the hard way.
Apart from that seventh road stoppage of Dillian White last time out, no boxer has lasted more than three rounds with Joshua in the professional ranks.
That clash with White could be a good guide for this one: Joshua took his time seizing up his opponent before going in for the kill with devastating effect. Given Martin’s awkward southpaw style, it may again take AJ a while to work out the angles. So backing the Over 5.5 Rounds market at 11/10 looks a sound investment.
Are you expecting Joshua to become a heavyweight champion of the world in his hometown? Or do you think Martin can upset the boxing world? Take your pick at bet365, and not only will you get the best odds for the fight you will also have your first deposit doubled when you use the JohnnyBet promo code, JBVIP.
Read also: Joshua vs Martin Betting Odds
Tags: Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin betting tips, boxing, betting odds, Joshua vs Martin predictions, favourite, betting preview, Matthew Macklin vs Brian Rose, Martin vs Joshua prediction, Selby vs Hunter,McDonnell vs Vargas, Groves vs Brophy.
Joshua vs Martin Predictions
Finally, British fight fans will get to see Anthony Joshua fight for a world title. It feels like this moment has been coming for a long time after some explosive showings in the heavyweight division. It is hoped on day that he will meet Tyson Fury for a unification bout on English soil, but for now AJ faces a stern test of his credentials as he challenges Charles Martin for the IBF world title.
Both of these young men are unbeaten in their short careers to date, and despite coming from different sides of the pond their backgrounds are remarkably similar. Tough upbringings on the streets led to dabbles with low-level trouble and crime, but boxing – as it often is – proved a salvation. For Joshua, he will be hoping that his redemption is complete in the most glorious way on April 9.
Contents
1. Challenger as a Favourite
The fact that bet365 has priced the challenger (Joshua) up at 1/7 and the champion (Martin) at 9/2 really does speak volumes. Shock results do happen in boxing – witness Fury’s win over Wladimir Klitschko – but the fact that the champ was happy to travel thousands of miles to take the fight suggests he is already banking his pay cheque.
All fighters have a punchers chance of course, and those detractors who say that Joshua has no decent names on his resume are correct. But he has beaten some gritty veterans who don’t get stopped often, while Martin – with more than 80 amateur/pro fights to his name – is similarly lacking in class opponents.
One opponent does stand out: Raphael Zumbano Love. In February 2015 Charles Martin knocked out the Brazilian in the tenth road of their meeting. In May 2015 Anthony Joshua stopped him inside two. That is perhaps a great marker of the gulf in class between these two, and explains why bet365 have got their odds completely correct.
2. Joshua vs Martin Predictions
The fact that Charles Martin is a southpaw is interesting – it could take AJ a while to get used to the change of angle – but when all is said and done you would have to fancy Joshua’s punch power and conditioning to get the job done against the champion, who has at times appeared fleshy in the ring despite exhibiting high punch output and work rate (as far as heavyweights are concerned).
Charles Martin has never been beaten – but he hasn’t fought anybody with such dynamite in their right fist either. To put it into context, less than a year ago he was fighting Tom Dallas; this isn’t a champion that has done things the hard way.
Apart from that seventh road stoppage of Dillian White last time out, no boxer has lasted more than three rounds with Joshua in the professional ranks.
That clash with White could be a good guide for this one: Joshua took his time seizing up his opponent before going in for the kill with devastating effect. Given Martin’s awkward southpaw style, it may again take AJ a while to work out the angles. So backing the Over 5.5 Rounds market at 11/10 looks a sound investment.
Are you expecting Joshua to become a heavyweight champion of the world in his hometown? Or do you think Martin can upset the boxing world? Take your pick at bet365, and not only will you get the best odds for the fight you will also have your first deposit doubled when you use the JohnnyBet promo code, JBVIP.
Read also: Joshua vs Martin Betting Odds
Tags: Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin betting tips, boxing, betting odds, Joshua vs Martin predictions, favourite, betting preview, Matthew Macklin vs Brian Rose, Martin vs Joshua prediction, Selby vs Hunter,McDonnell vs Vargas, Groves vs Brophy.