Photo Credit: Laurence Lustig
This afternoon on Showtime, UK sensation and IBF heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua will defend this newly won title against Dominic Breazeale. The two fighters squared off at yesterday’s weigh-in with Joshua coming in at 243 pounds and Breazeale at 255. Joshua’s 243 is a pound less from his title-winning effort in April against Charles Martin and represents his lowest weight since knocking out Michael Sprott in 2014 at 240 pounds. Breazeale’s tally is three pounds heavier from when he beat Amir Mansour in January.
PREDICTION: In his last two fights, Breazeale has had a bit of luck on his side. Against Fred Kassi, Breazeale struggled with the smaller man’s pressure but got overly favorable scoring from the judges to win a unanimous decision. Against Mansour, he was dropped in the third but outlasted Mansour who retired in the fifth from a broken jaw.
Such favor is unlikely with Joshua, who hits harder and has better punching technique. Joshua showed against Martin that he can deliver straight, accurate counter punches that will give him the edge in exchanges. Although powerful, Breazeale can be clumsy at times with his footwork which causes him to throw wide, sloppy punches.
Expect Breazeale to taste the canvas 2-3 times in this one. He proclaims he isn’t Charles Martin, but I don’t expect him to last much longer. JOSHUA TKO3
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 