Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker: Who should you have your money on?

On March 31st, at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, undefeated IBO, IBF & WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua takes on undefeated WBO champion Joseph Parker in one of the most anticipated fights of 2018. The unification bout is bringing in big business to sport and drawing a lot of interest with fans looking to wager money on the event.

Going into the fight Anthony Joshua is seen as the favorite, while Joseph Parker is looked at as the decided underdog, but with the heavyweight division, one punch can change a fight in a second. If you look at Joshua vs. Parker free bets, Joshua is listed at -1100 and Parker will get you +700 odds. There are many such exciting offers here like 6/1 for Parker to beat Joshua by Paddy Power or 14/1 for Joshua to beat Parker in round 1 by Ladbrokes.

When you look at the fight itself, the size advantage clearly goes to Joshua at 6’6 250lbs, with Parker being listed at 6’4 245. The power, you would also have to give the edge to Joshua, with him having knocked out all of the opponents that he has faced. The speed, you can give the edge to Parker in this department, as he is quick with his hands and gives good movement around the ring.

Looking at experience and level of opposition, Joshua leads in this category as well. He not only faced one of the most dominant heavyweights in history when he met Wladimir Klitschko in the ring, he recovered from a knockdown to knock out Klitschko in 11 rounds in one of the most exciting heavyweight fights in years.

Joseph Parker, on the other hand, does have some good experience, having faced and beaten, undefeated heavyweights Andy Ruiz and Hughie Fury. The win over Ruiz won him the vacant WBO belt and he has defended it twice, most recently against Fury, who he outpointed over 12 rounds.

Style wise this is a very interested heavyweight encounter, as you have the bigger stronger more experienced, heavyweight champion vs. the younger, faster, hungrier champion. Joshua is expected to win and some question if he is training as hard as in the past. Parker is seen by many as a huge underdog, expected to get knocked out, so he has everything to gain and not a whole lot to lose.

When you think of placing your bet on this fight, you have to look at the advantages that both fighters have and decide which one will serve the other better. Joshua has never faced a fighter with the speed of Parker and could find himself struggling to land cleanly, something that would take away from his size and power advantage.

Parker, on the other hand, has never been in the ring with someone of the caliber of Joshua and could find himself not only overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event but could also find himself feeling the pressure and power from Joshua, as he will be coming forward all night, looking to land the big shot to end the fight.

Joshua vs. Parker is now only a month away and fans are eagerly awaiting to see how this fight plays out because when you fight in the heavyweight division, the odds only mean so much when either man has the ability to end the night of the other with just one shot and that certainly can happen when these two meet on March 31st.