After watching his debut last night I can't help but think he is another Frank Bruno. Body builder physique but also kind of rigid. Hope im wrong and he goes on to emulate Lennox Lewis rather than big Frank as I really like the kid but Bruno was limited. I understand it was his first pro fight and has a lot to learn but it is my gut feeling. Anyone else agree?
I am impressed anyone can have an impression of him as a pro after less than one round of evidence. He was in shape and got the job done easily, there is little more that can be said for the moment.
Getting Joshua to where he needs to be to do well in the professional ranks will be a long journey but that would be the same for anyone turning pro. Give the lad time and judge him when he is at domestic title level.
Joshua does too much weights tell tale sign was after a min or so Joshua arms were locking up anyone notice how he was shaking them common trait with hardcore weight lifters Bruno had the same problem but his use to lock up after a few rounds...Joshua is very raw mans head was high after he threw punches basic thing you learn when starting out chin down not up. Looks a tad robotic ,,so far o would say more Bruno than Lewis.
Bruno became a title holder in a much harder HW era than this one, Klitschkos will be gone by the time Joshua is ready for a shot & if he is "just like Bruno" then that's enough to become a HW champion, Bruno is being underrated here he'd be a belt holder atleast in this era.
I agree, I'm not sure what Selby deserved to be lower down the bill either. Especially behind Campbell. A British and commonwealth title against a good unbeaten opponent surely deserves to be above Campbell beating up a punch bag.
Hear Hear.And I think he just might.As Espin says,the brothers will probably have gone by the time he gets there.At least Vitali will.And if Joshua fights often enough and Wlad hangs around for,say,another 3 years,he might just be the one to topple him.Stranger things have happened.
I'm not sure if Bruno was as limited as people think. You can't exactly call his fights with Lennox Lewis, Tim Witherspoon, even the first fight with Tyson uncompetitive. He just lacked stamina and survival instincts he was very good at everything else. if Joshua turned out to be Bruno's level he's still miles above most heavyweights today.
Bruno was exceptionally well matched & managed but people really overlook the fact though he had limitations he had a fantastic jab that really stopped opponents in their tracks. If Joshua gets to Bruno's level or near in todays HW scene he will win a world title himself especially as the twins would have retired. Put a prime Bruno in with anyone other than the Klitschko's today he would be raved about.It's going to be open season in that division soon very ordinary crop TBH.
:blood He was constantly criticized early on for weak opposition. And then was matched with an unknown bomber in 'Bonecrusher'. That suggests to me he was exceptionally poorly matched...
That was an eliminator for a title shot, so Mickey Duff took the fight. Later on he was matched much easier. Chuck Gardener etc...
Smith was considered a journeyman going into the bout. Bruno did not have an official 'eliminator' until the Coetzee bout. If Bruno had beaten Bonecrusher he would almost certainly not have met Holmes, Larry took James as easy pay day, not a mandatory.