Breakdown: Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam fight preview and prediction

Boxing’s Heavyweight king is in action this weekend, as Anthony Joshua takes on Carlos Takam. Get a fight preview here.

This Saturday, Showtime presents an international event as boxing’s Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0; 19 KO) takes on challenger Carlos Takam (35-3-1; 27 KO). The fight is for Joshua’s IBF, IBO, and WBA Heavyweight championships. Joshua vs. Takam takes place this Saturday, October 28, in Cardiff, Wales, live on Showtime. The broadcast has a start time of 5:00 p.m. ET.

How do these two stack up?
Joshua: 28 years old | 6’6” | 82" reach | orthodox stance
Takam: 36 years old | 6’1" | 80.5" reach | orthodox stance

What have these two done recently?
Joshua: W - Wladimir Klitschko (TKO) | W - Eric Molina (TKO) | W - Dominic Breazeale (TKO)
Takam: W - Ivica Bacurin (KO) | W - Marcin Rekowski (KO) | L - Joseph Parker (UD)

How did these two get here?

Anthony Joshua comes in to this fight off the greatest win of his career, when he stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round in April. That fight was everything you want in combat sports - a passionate crowd, back and forth action, and a true changing of the guard moment (still my pick for Fight of the Year too). With Tyson Fury sidelined indefinitely, Joshua is clearly THE Heavyweight champion right now - sorry Deontay Wilder fans. Before the Klitschko fights there were questions if Joshua, at 28 years old and just four years into his pro career, was ready for the massive stage and hype surrounding him. You can’t possibly ask those questions anymore.

Carlos Takam is a late replacement opponent here after Kubrat Pulev was forced out. Takam is a seasoned veteran and a perfectly fine opponent as far as late replacements go. He had a strong showing against Joseph Parker - that other hyped next-gen Heavyweight - back in 2016 and is 2-0 since. He’s also a very tough and durable fighter whose lone stoppage loss came late against Alexander Povetkin.

What can fans expect?

After defeating Klitschko, Joshua has hit a point where very few possible opponents seem like real challenges. Fury and Klitschko are gone. Pulev and Povetkin wouldn’t be terrible choices, but not thrilling either. The most intrigue comes in the other new guard opponents - Wilder, Luiz Ortiz, and Joseph Parker. Someone at Takam’s level of “solid” is just not enough to deal with Joshua at this stage. It won’t be a fast night for the champ, but I expect he can keep landing power shots and put Takam down late.
Prediction: Anthony Joshua, late KO

Who should watch?

You. It may not be the most compelling fight, but Joshua is one of the most compelling fighters in the world, period. He’s must-watch TV right now.