Anthony Joshua Would Be Wise to Avoid Wladimir Klitschko for a Fall Showdown

Oh, if only wisdom were a common trend among today’s fight makers.

According to ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael, the proposed heavyweight bout between IBF titleholder Anthony Joshua and former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko hinges on whether the WBA will sanction the bout for its title alongside Joshua's IBF belt.

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Bernd Boente and Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, have both said the fight terms are agreed to for what would be a Dec. 10 megafight at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. However, it was stipulated by both sides from the outset that they would only make the fight if another major title was at stake besides the IBF version Joshua holds.

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Joshua and his handlers should probably hope they don’t.

That isn’t a knock on the 27-year-old Joshua’s potential as a fighter. Yes, he passes the eye test as far as heavyweights go. He is a huge, athletic puncher with fluid movement and technical skill. If one were to place bets on who will be the best heavyweight over the next five or 10 years, Joshua would probably lead the list based on those traits alone.

It’s not a knock him wanting the fight, either. We need more fighters like Joshua who want to fight the toughest opposition out there. Tyson Fury abdicated the heavyweight throne to deal with issues stemming from depression and cocaine addiction. That makes Klitschko the best heavyweight opponent available right now for anyone who wants to make his case as being the best big man in boxing.

I even get why Joshua and his team see Klitschko as beatable at the present. Fury outboxed him in November last year, and he looked un-Klitsckho-like when he outpointed Bryant Jennings in his previous fight. In neither of the bouts did he appear to be the same dominant force he was at his peak.

And at age 40, can we ever expect to see Klitschko at his very best again?

But here’s where Joshua and his handlers are getting things wrong. Joshua holds a portion of the heavyweight title and looks like a sure-fire star of the division for years to come. Over the course of his 17 professional fights, however, he’s beaten exactly zero fighters who are anything close to Klitschko’s level.

In fact, what exactly is his best win? Charles Martin? Dominic Breazeale? Kevin Johnson?

Seriously, I’m asking. All those are basically the same kind of guy: a just-barely-contender type who has no business being considered near the top of a heavyweight division that has few great fighters in the first place.

And what if Klitschko just had a bad night against Fury? What if he comes into the ring as he did against Kubrat Pulev in 2014? That version of Klitschko could potentially drag Joshua into some deep and unnecessary waters. Heck, even the version that outpointed Jennings could do that.

Sebastian Konopka/Associated Press

Here’s an idea for Team Joshua. Before throwing your guy into a fight in which he might not be ready, have him face some good heavyweights who can test him. He hasn't done that yet. It doesn't matter what the IBF says about it. Joshua is the least-accomplished claimant to the heavyweight throne right now.

Jennings is one fighter to consider. Alexander Povetkin is another. Luis Ortiz has looked fantastic in recent fights, and Deontay Wilder is undefeated and the holder of the WBC belt. 

Every one of those fighters is leagues better than anyone else Joshua has faced.

Joshua should be commended for his willingness to fight Klitschko. I mean that. But members of his team should have their heads checked for even thinking about throwing their guy into the ring with Klitschko at this point.

Because if they don’t reconsider, Klitschko, one of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history, just might check their fighter’s chin for them in ways they did not anticipate.

 Follow Kelsey McCarson on Twitter @kmcc79.