Joshua to end it early

WHILE we are in Sheffield at the Crucible and deep into the semifinal stages of the Betfred World Snooker Championships, there’s a massive fight at Wembley tonight.

Anthony Joshua taking on Wladimir Klitschko is a heavyweight clash in every sense. In the words of promoter Barry Hearn, “the biggest fight I’ve ever been involved in”. A £50m bout transmitted to 120 countries.

The brightest rising star in boxing facing the man who has won it all.

Joshua is looking to retain his IBF heavyweight belt and win the vacant WBA and IBO versions against former unified champion Klitschko at Wembley Stadium tonight. Both fighters are Olympic gold medallists but at different ends of their careers.

AJ’s rise through the ranks has been quick, explosive and stylish – qualities you can attribute to the 27-yearold. He has won all 18 of his professional bouts by KO or TKO but now steps up in class to face a tactically astute and genuine world class fighter in the 41-year-old Ukrainian Klitschko.

The Watford-born boxer could easily be facing a full 12 rounds for the first time.

Klitschko has lost just four times in a 68-fight career, including his most recent bout against Tyson Fury in November 2015.

AJ is 2-5 favourite to win, while Klitschko can be backed at 2-1.