Charles Martin vs. Anthony Joshua
Paul Johnson, Staff Writer
I’m not keen on all the hype behind Anthony Joshua. I’ve been very vocal in saying that he’s definitely just a prospect, and that there are a lot of gaps in his game.
I think someone can expose that, but I’m not sure Charles Martin is the guy to do it. For me, Joshua’s physical gifts will put him safely amongst the elites of the sport, but it will also stop him working on fixing his bad habits.
A win over Martin will keep breeding the confidence that will lead to someone like Luis Ortiz turning him into mince meat. And a win for Joshua is definitely what I think will happen. I think he’ll knock Martin out in under six rounds.
Prediction: Joshua
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Let’s pretend for a moment that this fight isn’t for the IBF heavyweight championship. What do you have left?
Two hungry, undefeated heavyweight prospects looking to make a statement in the division. But because this is boxing, this is a title fight. Yay!
Calling Charles Martin champion because he owns a belt is like calling me a fisherman because I own a fishing pole. Martin’s paper title means nothing to him being heavyweight champion of the world.
Besides the pointless belt, this is truly a fantastic matchup. Both Martin and Anthony Joshua are massive, powerful heavyweights (88 percent and 100 percent KO percentages!) with a lot to prove. Which brings us to the question–who’s getting KO’d?
To me, it will undoubtedly be Martin. While Martin’s resume has proved he can bang, Joshua has proven his pedigree. For a man his size and strength, his boxing skills are versatile and solid.
Martin’s toolbox doesn’t seem loaded enough to deal with Joshua’s full arsenal. Martin is a southpaw who fights with his hands rather low, so how can Joshua’s murderous straight right not land? Expect one hell of a fight while it lasts. Joshua by KO.
Prediction: Joshua
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Prediction: Joshua
Liam Bradley, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
From what I have seen, Charles Martin seems like a canny fighter, based on his mannerisms. He has shown that he has the ability to maintain distance from his opponent, and therefore stay out of range of shots. Add on top the southpaw stance, and you have a fighter who may not yield as quick as Anthony Joshua’s previous foes.
However, whether it’s a lack of speed, or he’s too relaxed, there seems to be a hint of lethargy in Martin’s performances. A lack of intensity, which is exemplified by his right hand being low, or his occasional “lazy” jabs. If he replicates these mistakes against Joshua, a fighter who is quick at launching his shots, it could prove to be costly and lose him the fight.
However, I still have questions about Joshua’s endurance over 12 rounds, so it could be interesting if the fight reaches the latter rounds–and Martin’s lack of intensity may bode him well in that scenario, as he seems to exert less energy during rounds. As a consequence, he may have more in the tank to capitalize in the latter part of the fight.
Nevertheless, I am going for Joshua by TKO in the middle rounds. I feel there will be a defensive lapse by Martin, and there will be an opening for Joshua to exploit, who I believe is the quicker, and more powerful fighter. The counterpunch will hurt Martin, and then encourage Joshua to unload a barrage of shots, thus causing a stoppage.
Prediction: Joshua
Andrew Kang, Contributing Writer
Both towering, heavy-handed bigs mirror each other in many ways, but I like Anthony Joshua’s slight edge in strength and aggressiveness.
After a couple of rounds, Charles Martin will resort to lowering his hands dangerously low, a bad habit especially against a big puncher like Anthoyn Joshua.
But, keep in mind that Charles has that puncher’s chance too.
Prediction: Joshua
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Charles Martin may have won his title on technicality rather than skill, but a few rounds of outboxing Czar Glazkov says a lot more to me than being gravely hurt by a fighter coming off a three year layoff the way Anthony Joshua was in his fight against Dillian Whyte.
Joshua it has seemed to me is a one-trick pony. British Joe Louis my ass. The entire fight will be AJ trying to get off his deadly one-two.
If he lands a few times and stays calm he might win. But I see Martin outworking the Brit 7-5 or 8-4.
Prediction: Martin
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is a fun fight, and regardless of if Charles Martin isn’t actually the legit Heavyweight champion, many other fighters would have held that IBF strap hostage and fought a bunch of no names just for an easy pay day.
You have to give a guy props for going into enemy territory to make the first defense of his title.
Having said all of that, I think Martin is in trouble against Anthony Joshua. Joshua–who has 15 knockouts in 15 fights–is an explosive Heavyweight whose biggest glaring deficiency seems to be his stamina.
If Martin can extend the fight, he may have a chance to tire Joshua out and land something big. But, I think Joshua’s pace and intensity will be too much, too early for Martin and we’ll see a knockout within five rounds.
Prediction: Joshua
