Butlin: Joshua's Power Is Horrible!

Wladimir Klitschko will step into the ring on April 29th thinking he knows Anthony Joshua inside out. The two have shared a ring before. Then heavyweight champion Klitschko roped in a relatively inexperience Joshua as a sparring partner for his title defence against Kubrat Pulev back in 2014.

Joshua, who at the time had begun dispatching heavyweight rivals with ease, will also feel that he has something of an edge having been able to witness the preparation methods of the then undisputed heavyweight King up close.

One man who can speak on good authority on the current IBF champion is Paul Butlin, who was Joshua's second victim in the pro ranks.

Joshua and Butlin met on the undercard of Kell Brook v Vyacheslav Senchenko and it was all over in the second round with a bloodied Butlin having received enough punishment for the referee to step in.

What did Butlin make of Joshua's famed strength during the fight?

'The power is horrible, the first jab he hit me with I thought what the f***? Serious power! He connects, it's game over!'

Butlin's assessment of Joshua's abilities would make fearsome reading for anyone willing to step between the ropes and face him. But is he able to offer any joy and identify any chinks in his armour that are yet to be ironed out?

'None at all' is his somewhat ominous response, 'He has been caught with shots, not a problem. But it's who connects first I believe (will win) in his next fight.'

How does he see that next fight panning out? Will the experienced Dr Steelhammer be able to tame the hungry young lion or will youth prevail?

'Klitschko was shocking with Fury, but I think that was down to fighting someone his own height. Joshua needs to move his head a bit more. I'm a bit on the fence, I think Joshua will have a few sticky rounds but will come through victorious.

It'll be a stoppage either way, I do think Josh will come out on top but like I said he will have some dangerous moments.'

With the heavyweight division alive once again with the likes of Joshua, Wilder, Parker, Klitschko and the returning Tyson Fury all vying for the top spot. How does the now retired Butlin see the hierarchy of the blockbuster division?

'Joshua is number one for me at the minute but the heavyweights in the 80's and 90's were in another league.'

Butlin's days of being punched in the face are long behind him after hanging up his gloves with a record of 16-24-1 but how is he finding life away from the ring?

'It's all good, I've been lazy' he laughs 'I have a new job as an enforcement agent and I'm loving it. I've closed my own gym to spend more time with my family. I have two sons, Oscar and Stanley, who love boxing. So maybe in the future they will come through as good amateurs and maybe go pro.'