Wednesday 25 October 2017 22:20, UK
Our panel of experts discuss whether newly-instated mandatory challenger Carlos Takam will provide Anthony Joshua with a tougher test than Kubrat Pulev would have...
This certainly poses a different threat. Pulev's strengths were his height, his strength and his experience - as an amateur and professional. Takam though, who is shorter with a much higher work-rate, brings a whole new set of problems.
Joshua will be punching down, which can be a problem because if you're doing that you can leave your chin susceptible to big shots over the top. Takam's footwork in and out is better than Pulev's, so there are different problems but let's be honest, after his last fight Anthony has experienced everything you can experience in a boxing ring.
Takam is more prepared for Joshua tactics-wise than 'AJ' is for Takam, so for that Joshua has to get rid of him as soon as possible.
If Takam had the same amount of notice as Pulev, this fight would be better than the Pulev fight. This is a mandatory, not a pick them fight and Takam wants this now. It would be better if he had the same notice, but this makes it tougher mentally for 'AJ', not physically though.
This could be tougher than Pulev. You know what you get from the Bulgarian. He doesn't really come to win and he's not shown me that in his last few fights. He hasn't thrown enough punches or taken chances, he is safety first, I don't think he had a chance of beating Joshua.
I'd actually rather see Takam than Pulev. He throws big hooks, he has 27 knockouts and he is going to come out and give it a go. He knows this is his one big chance, his golden opportunity, so he is going to give it his all - he has nothing to lose.
I don't think one guy is more dangerous to 'AJ' than the other, that's no disrespect to those guys, that's more of how good Joshua is. He will be so tough to beat.
Takam has come in at late notice and will just roll the dice and give it his all for six rounds, so in that sense, it could be more dangerous. Against someone like 'AJ', only two weeks' notice won't have that much effect on the fight outcome.
Well, I am sure Takam will come into this in shape and very motivated. Yes, Joshua is bigger and technically better but Takam is no pushover. He has always given a good account of himself, even when he's been beaten.
I don't think Joshua will have to make too many changes to his specific preparation for the opponents anyway. If he has done the training to its maximum best - which I am sure he has - Takam might be tough. He might realise this is his one big shot, but I don't think it makes it any harder for 'AJ'.
He may prove tougher, although Pulev was obviously in the mandatory position and had fought Klitschko. Pulev is a top fighter and I remember him being a top-class amateur, but Takam did draw with Mike Perez and he should have got that decision.
He was also good against Joseph Parker, too. Takam has shown better form in recent times than Pulev. Everything that the Cameroonian has been doing in training has been focused on Anthony Joshua so, in that department, he has the advantage.
I'm not going to say Takam is better than Pulev but it presents different problems, completely different. He is very resilient and the awkwardness of his height is his advantage.
'AJ' has to be smart and use his feet, jab and straight right hand. If Joshua controls him at range then he busts him up, but if Takam gets on the inside, it's a hard fight. We don't know what 'AJ' is like at close quarters. If Takam gets on the inside we will see a new side to Joshua.
