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Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko as it happened: Champion delivers stunning stoppage in eleventh

Re-live updates from the world heavyweight title fight at Wembley

Mark Critchley
Wembley
Saturday 29 April 2017 14:59 BST
Joshua intends to defend his IBF title against the former champion
Joshua intends to defend his IBF title against the former champion (Getty)

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Anthony Joshua meets Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on Saturday night in an eagerly-anticipated world heavyweight title bout.

When is it?

The fight will take place on Saturday 29 April at Wembley in London.

What time will it start?

Joshua and Klitschko are expected to begin their entrances to the ring at approximately 9.25pm, with the fight itself starting at 10.00pm.

Where can I watch it?

The main event and the undercard will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this article, which will become The Independent’s live blog.

Who’s on the undercard?

Scott Quigg vs Viorel Simion
WBA international featherweight title

Luke Campbell vs Darleys Perez

Katie Taylor vs Nina Meinke

Lawrence Okolie vs Russ Henshaw

Joe Cordina vs Sergej Vib

Josh Kelly vs Faheem Khan

What are their records?

Wins, wins by knockout, losses, draws

Joshua: W18 KO18 L0 D0

Klitschko: W64 KO53 L4 D0

What’s on the line?

Joshua is the reigning IBF world heavyweight title holder, a belt that Klitschko lost in defeat to Tyson Fury in November 2015.

Fury was subsequently stripped of the belt after failing to fight mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov. Charles Martin, who beat Glazkov, then lost his first defence of the belt to Joshua.

The WBA (Super) and vacant IBO world heavyweight titles, both previously held by Fury, will also be on the line.

Who will win?

What are the odds?

Odds provided by 888.com

Joshua: 11/25

Klitschko: 15/8

Joshua points: 11/2

Joshua stoppage: 7/10

Klitschko points: 6/1

Klitschko stoppage: 7/2

Last-minute thoughts, before they enter?

For me, this is tight. We've explained our reasoning in our predictions piece, but I either see Joshua blowing Klitschko away early or this lasting the distance, possibly with a Klitschko victory on points.

That's a fence-sitting position, granted, but I think it's a sensible one. If I had to pick right now, it'd be Klitschko.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:26

Newsflash everybody, Deontay Wilder's here and speaking on Sky.

Any chance of him jumping in the ring after it's all said and done?

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:28

Not long now. Just time to read a fine, hype-bursting piece by Martin Hines

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:32

Tony Bellew's 'talking tactics' on Sky, explaining what our Anthony needs to do to conquer Dr Steelhammer.

If all else fails, could always just hope his Achilles goes, eh Tone?

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:34

OK, let's revise our timings. It turns out we're running a little late.

'Sweet Caroline', one of the greatest folk numbers ever recorded, has just started playing, meaning we're not far away, but we're probably waiting a bit longer for the two to make their entrances.

How about a final piece from 'Big Daddy' Bunce to tide us over? 

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:39

Scrap that.

Michael Buffer's ready to rumble, here comes Klitschko...

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:40

It's a rather reserved walk-in, nothing like what we saw for Froch vs Groves here three years ago.

Klitscko's out to the tune of Red Hot Chilli Peppers' 'Can't Stop'. By the end of the night, he might wish he had.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:45

Here comes the home favourite...

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:46

So, it is Stormzy and 'Shut Up'. Or as real heads know, 'Functions on the Low'. Erm, yeah anyway...

AJ's entrance switches into that all-conquering monolith 'Seven Nation Army' and then Biggy's 'Juicy', which I've never had down as a blood pumper, but there you go.

He stands between two flaming initials - 'A' and 'J' - we get a few fireworks and then he's in the ring.

Nothing too grand, there's business to be done.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:53

Ukrainian national anthem now.

Loud, long boos from the home crowd. Stay classy, etc.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 21:55

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