Joshua (18-0, 18KOs) takes a big step up in class when he faces Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley.
The vacant WBA, IBO world titles will also be at stake in the bout.
Klitschko has not fought since November of 2015, when he lost a 12 round decision to Hughie’s cousin, Tyson Fury. Klitschko will be 41 by the time the fight with Joshua happens and he’ll be coming off the longest stint of inactivity in his entire career.
Klitschko was never capable of getting Tyson Fury back in the ring for a rematch. Tyson withdrew from two scheduled dates and then vacated his WBO, WBA, IBO titles after admitting to a mental breakdown and substance abuse issues.
Hughie spoke with TalkSport and believes Joshua is not ready and says Klitschko is “a fight too soon for him”.
He says Joshua’s style is tailor-made for Klitschko. He expects the former champion to stop Joshua in “six or seven rounds”.
Hughie was not impressed with Joshua’s recent win over Eric Molina. Joshua blew away Molina in three rounds without any issues in the short-lived fight.
“It was an easy fight. Molina looked beaten before he got in the ring. He looked terrified in there,” Hughie said.
As far as Hughie’s career, he is closing in on a mandatory title shot at WBO king Joseph Parker, who last month defeated Andy Ruiz with a close 12 round decision to win the vacant belt. Hughie is also looking at the possibility of facing WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
“I am the mandatory position now with the WBO so it’s looking likely it could be him,” Hughie said. “It’s also looking like Deontay Wilder, so we’re in the mix of these two fights at the moment. I feel great, so the next fight is going to be for the world championship whoever it is going to be.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua’s clash with Wladimir Klitschko will be one of the fights of the year but the best seats in the house will set you back an eye-watering £2,000, according to express .co.uk.
Joshua was scheduled to fight Klitschko in Manchester earlier this month only for the Ukrainian to pull out with injury.
Joshua instead faced American Eric Molina, whom he dispatched inside three rounds, and his next fight was announced in the ring by promoter Eddie Hearn.
The Brit will face Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29 with tickets for the IBF and WBA world heavyweight title bout going on general sale for the first time at noon yesterday.
Ticket prices vary wildly at the home of football, with non-central seats in the third tier – ’the gods’ – starting at just £40.
However, the very best ringside seats will go for £2,000 with resale prices expected to skyrocket even higher given the exceptional level of demand.
The biggest ever boxing audience at Wembley is currently the 80,000 who turned out when Carl Froch faced George Groves in May 2014.
The current capacity for Joshua versus Klitschko is currently the same but promoters Matchroom want to be able to reach the venue’s 90,000 seats.
They have enlisted the help of mayor Sadiq Khan to secure the correct licensing to allow them to sell 90,000 tickets to the event.
Express Sport understands both parties are confident of success, which will see them equal a national record.
The last time 90,000 people watched boxing in the United Kingdom was 1939 when Len Harvey and Jock McAvoy fought at White City Stadium.
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