Prince Martin is the champion and has more experience, but Anthony Joshua has a better knockout punch.
UK sportsbook William Hill is planning to sponsor one of the biggest boxing matches of the spring. William Hill is set to sponsor a heavyweight title bout between two undefeated heavyweights: the British Anthony Joshua versus the American Charles “Prince” Martin.
On April 9th, the Martin v. Joshua match will take place in the O2 Arena in London. Live Sky Sport Box Office is set to screen the fight card across the United Kingdom. The IBF World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line.
William Hill chose a good fight to back. In the United Kingdom, Anthony Joshua’s first title bout is likely to cause quite a sensation.
The challenger (or champion) are not as well known in the United States, but the allure of an American title holder fighting a knockout specialist should draw attention from the boxing crowd.
Martin v. Joshua: “A Mega Heavyweight Title Showdown”
Eddie Hearn, the managing director at the sport event promotions company, Matchroom Sport, said the title bout should give boxing fans on both sides of the Atlantic a compelling fight.
Hearn said, “Martin v Joshua is going to be a mega heavyweight title showdown and we’re delighted to have a real heavyweight global brand like William Hill on board. I think it’s a 50/50 fight. I normally agree with the bookies odds — but I think this fight will be a lot closer than William Hill have it.”
Charles Martin Bio
Charles Martin won the IBF title from Vyacheslav Glazkov in a fight in Brooklyn in January. The champ will travel to London with a 23-1-0 record, along with 21 wins by knockout.
The 6-ft, 5-in champion is a southpaw with an 80-inch reach and 65 amateur bouts under his belt. For a big man, 29-year old Charles Martin has good boxing skills in the ring.
Anthony Joshua Bio
The 6-ft, 6-in challenger is a conventional fight with an 82-inch reach and a Gold Medal from the 2012 Olympics, where he won in the Super Heavyweight Division. Anthony Joshua, has a 15-0 record with 15 knockouts, giving him a rare 100% knockout ratio.
In England, the 26-year old Anthony Joshua is seen as a rising star. His knockout punch has made him a famed boxer already, but winning a heavyweight title would make him a breakout star.
Alex O’Shaughnessy on the Expected Betting
Alex O’Shaughnessy, William Hill’s the chief marketing officer, said he sees a major dichotomy in how betting will take place. William Hill not only operates England’s largest sportsbook, but the gaming company also operates the William Hill Sports Book at the D Las Vegas, as well as other venues. For instance, it also operates a Las Vegas-based William Hill Sports Book at Hooters.
Alex O’Shaughnessy said UK punters would bet Anthony Joshua, while Americans were more likely to favor the champion, who is from St. Louis, Missouri. William Hill’s spokesman said, “Anthony Joshua is big box office in this neck of the woods and we’re expecting to see the TV viewing figures and ticket sales records smashed for this fight. AJ is a big favorite with us to claim the world title but the odds will probably be more pro-Martin on the other side of the pond.”
Why Charles Martin Should Win
Among the U.S. sports media, the fight is likely to have a split opinion. Some are likely to call the fight for the champion, who has a bit more experience and seasoning. A few will point out that 15 pro fights and none that have gone the distance is not the standard amount of preparation for a title fight. They might not see his Olympic Gold Medal victory as legitimate, either.
Why Anthony Joshua Should Win
Others are likely to see the impressive knockout power and call Anthony Joshua the favorite. Charles Martin is a less formidable champion than most, and he’s coming off the only truly impressive win of his career. He’s also faces a slightly bigger fighter for one of the first times, as well as a man with a better punch.
Anthony Joshua said he is excited for the William Hill-sponsored shot at the title. Speaking to British boxing fans, Joshua said, “Fighting for the Heavyweight World title has been a dream of mine since I turned professional. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to turn that dream in to reality. Having the chance to fight for it in my home town at The O2 and live on Sky Sports is unbelievably exciting.”
“Charles Martin is a great fighter and a hungry competitor so I am going to have to produce the performance of my career to claim that belt.”
Possibility of Two British Champions at Once
If Anthony Joshua wins the IBF title, it will mean two of the three major belts are in the hands of an Englishman. The UK’s Tyson Fury holds the WBA and WBO titles, after a win over Wladimir Klitschko. American Deontay Wilder holds the WBC belt.
Tyson Fury lost the IBF belt 10 days after he defeated Klitschko, because he chose the rematch over the IBF’s mandated top contender, against Vyacheslav Glazkov. Charles Martin took the match against Vyacheslav Glazkov and won the IBF title the next month.
