Carl Froch has made a confident prediction ahead of a proposed heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
The two former champions have been on a frustrating collision course in the division for years now and, despite currently holding no titles, the fight is regarded as one of the most intriguing in the sport.
With talks now bolstered by Saudi Arabia’s involvement and willingness to stage the contest this December, predictions are coming in.
Froch – a three-time super middleweight world champion – told Sporting Post that his countryman gets dealt with in one round.
“I think Deontay Wilder beats Anthony Joshua in a round one knockout, because Wilder knows that AJ is gun-shy now. He knows he tries to box behind his jab, he knows he will manoeuvre to try and keep safe. But Wilder will get to him.
In three minutes Wilder will line him up and get to him with a shot, so that fight could be over as early as round one. AJ has been fighting gun-shy now since the Andy Ruiz fight, where he chinned him.”
He believes that even if Joshua doesn’t ‘keep safe’, he will run out of steam.
“The rematch with Ruiz was box and move, every time Ruiz got nicked he grabbed hold of him, looked down and looked for cover. He’s tried to outbox Usyk who’s not a big puncher, he’s not a heavyweight.
Then in the rematch he had a bit more of a go, but when he had a go he ran out of steam again.
So I can’t really confidently say AJ has a chance against Wilder, and I’m not giving him stick for the sake of it, I just think Wilder catches him with a shot and when he does, it’s over. It’s definitely a KO win for Wilder, it could be as early as round one.”
Talks continue to progress behind the scenes for the bout, with promoter Eddie Hearn recently telling Boxing Social that all parties were on board.