Anthony joshua v wladimir klitschko april mega fight can be first of many for aj

← Homepage

I've just booked our summer holiday. Two weeks, sunshine, a few good books, the occasional dip in the pool to cool off, and some nice fish meals in the evening. Even though it is still six months away, I can't help but be a bit excited about it.

I imagine Anthony Joshua must be having much the same feelings about fighting Wladimir Klitschko. He's already been made [1.55] favourite in the early market to retain his IBF title and add the vacant WBA Super title to go with it.

It's booked, sorted. Wembley stadium, April 29th, a crowd of 80,000 to roar him on. The trouble is that much like my holiday it is still months away, and that time delay is arguably the biggest unknown about what will happen come fight night.

Klitschko looked great when he got into the ring at the Manchester Arena shortly after Joshua had put away Eric Molina. He stared the champion down while Eddie Hearn gleefully announced that contracts for the fight were signed. He'll be doing his bit again this week when they hold the official press conference to confirm the contest.

But by the time they come to get in the ring Klitschko will have gone past his 41st birthday. What's more, it will be his first fight for 17 months since the night that Tyson Fury took away all his titles.

Klitschko has never had that long a period of inactivity before. From when he first won a world title by outpointing Chris Byrd in 2000 he went through 32 fights in the following 15 years. The longest spell he ever had without a contest was 11 months between September 2010 and July 2011. Line them up and knock them down.

But since being humbled by Fury he's had a succession of false starts. The rematch got called off twice, then a niggling calf injury stopped his first attempt to fight Joshua.

So will a long lay-off and the chance to let his body recover from the constant training, sparring and fighting have helped him? Or will he arrive at Wembley ring-rusty and lacking sharpness?

Those are crucial things for Joshua and his team to assess, because this contest has to be the gateway for more mega fights for the British star. If he can fill Wembley once he can do it again, aiming to unify titles against the likes of WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

And then, of course, there is still the spectre of Tyson Fury who has told friends that, when he has his head right from the troubles that forced him to give up the titles he so spectacularly won against Klitschko, he wants to return to the ring and win them back there.

For Joshua this is a massive step forward. It is the fight that ends the sniping criticism that even though he wears a world heavyweight championship crown he's never really fought anybody.

There are many things you can buy for yourself and your loved ones during your trip to Mexico City. Combine sightseeing with shopping stops at local markets such as La Lagunilla, Mercado de Curiosidades, Mercado Insurgentes, Ciudadela Crafts Market, Bazar del Sabado, Mercado de Artesanias and find the best recuerdos (souvenirs) in Mexico City!

The hype will start this week. The tickets will sell out in a heartbeat. And then much like for my holiday the waiting will begin.

onlineafric.com