No way would the current slightly green version of AJ would have stood up to that version of Lennox of any version.
Vitali is about the worse matchup for Joshua. Joshua wouldn't have his usual size and power advantage and would struggle to defend against the constant power jabs and hooks. Also Vitali had better stamina. Vitali by late KO.
A prime Vitali would pretty much wreck AJ at this point in time. Everyone has made their points on why and how, so no need to comment further.
Vitali all day, every day and twice on Sundays. Horrible style match up for AJ, that movement, that size, that work rate along with a granite chin, not a chance.
Well this version of AJ stood up to a fit but old version of Wlad. Certainly he wouldn't be without a chance versus an old, unfit, unmotivated Lewis.
Vitali. I'm glad there seems to be consensus that Klitschko the elder is a h2h behemoth. Joshua is an absolute beast in his own right but I wouldn't back him in this match up, although I could see him making a fight of it and seeing the bell. V. Klitschko UD
As others have posted, its a little too early to make this fantasy matchup. Joshua is not prime yet imo, and still have room for improvement. Wlad and Lewis wasnt prime in their 20's either. In fact, they had both been KO'd hard when they were the same age as Joshua. But anyway, if someone put a gun to my head and forced me to make a prediction. I would say Vitali by late KO.
Actually no they haven't except all but ONE poster remotely broke this match up down, other than...the usual " he gets destroyed" he would lose for sure" etc..etc... Somehow resumes and skill sets don't count as well as styles no matter who you compare BC a more famous name holds more weight over all that to the point its remotely improbable for any fighter even like Joshua to be competitive..lol
Fair enough. However, some folks have mentioned why and not how (my bad for typing how above): Vitali has Stamina, greater work rate then his brother, a super solid chin, mentally tough, and more experience (Vaughn Bean, Larry Donald, Lennox Lewis, Kirk Johnson, Corrie Sanders, Danny Williams, Chris Byrd, Olin Norris, and Herbie Hide all by 2004) He has barely lost rounds in fights. He's relentless and tough has nails. H2H he would trouble any heavyweight, period. AJ is good, I like him. He has great combo punching and a huge heart. He got off the deck against an ATG and stopped him. He has a great future ahead. Right now though, I think Vitali is too tough for AJ.
Though one might argue that Vitali never proved he was a dominant, real champ, the same can be said of Joshua so far too. Vitali brings to the table a chin as good as Joshuas, more physical fitness but less power. I am not sure who would win, it would be even stevens as far as I can see. Wlad brought more to the table except his chin would be a major issue
Joshua is big glass jawed robot on roids, he would lose to both klits in their primes, also Haye from Wlad fight would KO Joshua
Vitali was in training for a fight already. It was a change of opponent not a 2 week camp. Meanwhile Lewis has been getting through buffet after buffet as he was prone to do and came in the heaviest he ever had for a fight. That Vitali fans hang on to being 2 points up with six to go as some sort of insurmountable lead is also hilarious. In the shape his face there were a number of ways he could of lost. Only in K bros fan boy's heads does a man that injured go on to dominate an ATG - even a fat faded one.