He showed the best stamina and conditioning of his career in the Fury fight. All that moving around he did for 12 rounds saved him from a stoppage loss. If Wlad approached Joshua with the same huggy bear tactic he employed to beat bums he would have been blown out with the first 3 rounds. Wlad simply isn't on the same level as these new generation of HWs. And if you look back to 2003 you will see he wasn't on the same level as left over contenders from the 90's era either.
Wlad won the title from Peter in 2005. He reigned undefeated for 10 years and defended 18 times. 18 defenses. Out of all those 18 fights, there are only two fights where Wlad lost more than two rounds (by averaging scorecards): David Haye: 3 rounds lost Bryant Jennings: 3.33 rounds lost In all 18 defenses, Wlad lost the most rounds to Jennings. And no one else was even close besides Haye. Is Jennings really that good? Really? He was Wlad's best win? Or is there maybe a chance it had to do with Wlad turning 39? He almost beat AJ because AJ is overhyped as ****.
Why would he feel especially unwilling to leave with a loss against Fury but very OK with leaving with a loss to Josh?
Are you serious? Did you not see how Fury antagonized and mocked him? Wlad must absolutely hate Fury.
Wlad was agonisingly close to winning, I think he will regret it if he doesn't take the rematch. All it's going to take is for him to be more clinical when Joshua is hurt next time and he can win. Then again Joshua can also make adjustments and not try to punch his way out of clinches and save his energy. 50/50 fight once again and I am very much looking forward to it.
Wlad's problem was he threw like 30 leaping/lunging left hooks and not a single one landed. Joshua was clearly prepared for that even when he was slightly buzzed or hurt he was able to get out of they way. I don't see the rematch being any different as Wlad is going to have to land his hook to have a chance at winning.
I had him even with Brock at the time of the stoppage. Calvin Brock outlanded Wald on power punches 42% - 32% He lost because Wlads excessive leaning and mauling sapped and drained all his energy. Sam Peter won 3 10-8 rounds against Wlad and he was a useless bum. Wlad avoided being knocked out by using constant illegal holding and bear hugging. One judge had Williamson up at the time of the stoppage caused by a head clash. Wlad looked like he was on the way to defeat. He struggled badly with Thompson who came to the fight with a bum knee. He could barely move around the ring yet he still bust Wlads face up with lead left hands down the pipe. Wlad had to resort to throwing old man Thompson around the ring and at one point when TT was on the floor he deliberately crashed down on his legs No , it was because Jennings used movement and Wlads illegal tactics he requires to succeed was forbidden by the NYC athletic state commission after an appeal was made by Jennings promoter This content is protected To This content is protected which he responded This content is protected Even with that warning and multiple other warnings in the ring , Wlad still couldn't stop himself from illegally holding and ended up with a point deduction. It had nothing got to do with him being 38 because he's been a cheat all his career. http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/09/steward-was-telling-wladimir-to-stop-clinching-peter/ Ortiz was the same age and in worse condition when he broke Jennings in half. Wlad couldn't do it because he sucks and has always sucked. The dude isn't even impressive hitting the heavy bag
You're looking forward to a fight thats never going to happen. Joshua uppercutted that frauds career out of existence in front of 90 , 000 people
I'm not fully swayed as much of this seems a little subjective to me. It's not that persuasive to say things like "Yeah, well, even if the judges all scored it a shutout, I personally scored it a draw." And, just for the record, Wlad was 39 for the Jennings fight. I personally still find the trend of "First time losing more than 3 rounds... first time losing... second time losing..." too persuasive. But I do concede you make a lot of very good and very interesting points, and you're forcing me to rethink things.
I recall Vitali claimed he was to blame for his brother losing by not following up once we had Joshua hurt Vitali apparently told him to not rush it and take his time after he got Joshua knocked down That scenario would certainly be handled differently if it were to present itself again Lol Wlad would also have to put great effort into the effectiveness of his lead left hook which never seem to connect at all in the first fight- Reflexes diminished or does Joshua have that good of a defense? Also, Wlad would have to somehow, better prepare for Joshua's swarming attacks, which were very overwhelming and effective in the first fight. Very hard to withstand that kind of offensive barrage. ----IF------ Wlad takes the rematch. But I don't think he will. Unless fighting in Las Vegas mean something deep to him and he goes ahead with the rematch Surely to GOD we will know something concrete soon
Well, I think it would be a wise decision. He's an awesome fighter, one of my favourites, but man, we all get old. He should enjoy his life with his family, a healthy life and an INCREDIBLE legacy. What's the point in continue fighting at 42 yo? specially once you have been everythin in this sport. You dont need to be koed 12 times in a row in order to decide to retire, man. Dunno, my point of view...
he's playing mind games with joshua so joshua goes to sleep with the thought of a rematch or an easier fight with pulev. he'll take his time until the deadline.