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Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko in numbers: A statistical breakdown of the heavyweight world title fight

Joshua and Klitschko will go head to head at Wembley Stadium: Getty
Joshua and Klitschko will go head to head at Wembley Stadium: Getty

Anthony Joshua takes on Wladimir Klitschko in a world title-fight on Saturday night, with the Wembley Stadium fight one of the most anticipated match-ups in recent memory.

But although the bookmakers seem utterly torn on who will emerge victorious – Joshua is the slight favourite although Klitschko is not too far behind – the statistics behind each boxer could not be more different.

41-year-old Klitschko is a veteran of the heavyweight boxing scene, with a storied professional record of 68 fights, 64 wins and just 4 losses.

Klitschko made his professional debut in 1996 (Bongarts/Getty)
Klitschko made his professional debut in 1996 (Bongarts/Getty)

Having announced himself as a future talent at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he defeated Paea Wolfgramm to win the Super-Heavyweight gold medal, Klitschko won his first world title in 1998, knocking out Marcus McIntyre to win the vacant WBC International heavyweight title.

In total, Klitschko has fought in a staggering 358 professional rounds and has knocked out 53 (78%) of the opponents he has faced in the ring.

In contrast, Joshua is very much still an up and comer, just 27-years-old and regarded as a future legend of the sport.

Like Klitschko, Joshua also has an Olympic gold – the Brit won his at the London Olympics by defeating Roberto Cammarelle – but that is where the similarities end.

Joshua has had only 18 professional fights – 50 less than his opponent on Saturday night – and has fought in just 44 professional rounds. Klitschko has surpassed that in his last five fights alone.

Aged just 7 at the time Klitschko made his professional debut, in November 1996, Joshua now has the opportunity to fight the veteran for the vacant WBA and IBO heavyweight titles, in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

Check the gallery above for a full statistical breakdown of the eagerly anticipated heavyweight match-up.

Who’s going to win at Wembley Stadium? Let us know in the comments below.