Was Anthony Joshua's lack of an above average jab, exposed against Povetkin & Joseph Parker?

For a super heavyweight that is taller than 6 foot 3 inches and has an 80+ inch reach, Anthony Joshua at best, has a very average jab.

Joshua's inability to control distance with his jab, along with his inability to land as frequently, is something that has to be criticized. And this may one day be his downfall.

Against Povetkin, Joshua was unable to keep Povetkin at distance. Povetkin was able to close the distance with regularity, until his 40 year old body ran out of energy.

Joshua had to settle for some tapping body jabs against Povetkin (which is very little, compared to the far greater amount of damage Povetkin has endured in his career before). But otherwise, Joshua wasn't very effective with the jab at controlling distance and at inflicting significant damage. The jab wasn't landing as frequently and as effectively, in order for Joshua to totally control the fight.

In contrast, someone with a great jab in Wladimir Klitschko, landed more jabs on Povetkin's face in just 2 or 3 rounds, than Joshua did in the entire bout against Povetkin. And that was against prime Povetkin.

In before comments about how Joshua did a better job on Povetkin by stopping him whilst Wladimir Klitschko couldn't.

Firstly, Joshua didn't stop Povetkin. The referee did! By the 7th round, Joshua had dropped Povetkin twice. The referee DECIDED to stop the fight, after the 2nd knockdown and didn't give Povetkin the chance to continue or to prove that he could continue.

Whilst Wladimir Klitschko by the 7th round, had already dropped Povetkin 4 times. The first knockdown was as early as the 2nd round. And the other 3 knockdowns came in the 7th round itself. But unlike against Anthony Joshua, the referee allowed and gave Povetkin the chance to continue against Wladimir Klitschko, even though he had been dropped 4 times by the 7th round, compared to the 2 knockdowns he suffered against Joshua by the 7th round.

The difference is, the referee in Russia gave Povetkin the chance to prove that he can continue after 3 knockdowns he suffered in the 7th round against Wladimir Klitschko. Whilst the referee in England, didn't give Povetkin the chance to prove that he can continue after the 2 knockdowns he suffered against Joshua by stopping the fight immediately after the 2nd knockdown.

Secondly, it was a past-prime Wladimir Klitschko vs prime Povetkin. Whilst it was prime Anthony Joshua vs a totally shot Povetkin. Yet, Wladimir Klitschko did a far better job, especially with the jab. And even if we are just judging their punching power, Wladimir Klitschko displayed greater and more impressive punching power than Joshua by dropping Povetkin far earlier, with far fewer punches, when he dropped Povetkin with a single glancing left hook in the 2nd round whilst Joshua needed to unload with entire combinations in the 7th round to achieve his first 2 knockdowns.

Even against Joseph Parker, Joshua barely landed any clean jabs on Joseph Parker. Parker's relatively pale skin face was almost unmarked by the end of the fight. Showing how little damage he suffered from the hands of Joshua. Joshua was also unable to dominate the fight or control the distance properly with the jab due to being unable to connect enough effective jabs on Parker.

Meanwhile, Wladimir Klitschko faced prime David Haye, who was significantly faster, more powerful, more elusive and more athletic than Joseph Parker. Yet, Wladimir Klitshcko landed more jabs (and other punches), and inflicted more damage on the darker skinned David Haye's face than Anthony Joshua did on the paler skinned Joseph Parker's face who is inferior to prime David Haye in every department.

This goes to show the SIGNIFICANT difference in ability, when it comes to the jab. Maybe it's harsh to compare Anthony Joshua's jab to Wladimir Klitschko's, since Wladimir has set a very high standard when it comes to jabbing, long range boxing and distance control. But since many people want to already place Joshua in such a high pedestal, I think the comparison is therefore fair and valid.

 

Joshua also lacks feinting skills. He rarely ever feints or probes to set his jabs up. He has a tendency to just shoot his jab, directly from his guard, over and over again in a predictable manner. Which makes it susceptible to getting timed.

It's either something he hasn't learnt, or something he just isn't good at. Probably because his body is too stiff and not coordinated enough.

 

A prime Povetkin almost had his head jabbed off by a past-prime Wladimir Klitshcko.

A prime Joshua could barely land any jabs on a shot, 39 year old Povetkin.

Povetkin wasn't anywhere near his best against Joshua. Joshua simply made Povetkin look good, because of his inferior and lacking skill set.

 

If the fight happened in Russia and if Povetkin had his old trainer that he had when he fought Wladimir Klitschko, then Povetkin would never have been advised to stop. Since they have a lot pride and would not want to be shamed.

His new trainer is different. Especially since the fight also happened in the UK. Joshua would probably have not stopped Povetkin in Russia.

 

Povetkin was badly hurt against Wlad too. But he was never going to be pulled out by his corner, nor would he ever quit himself. It's the Russian mentality! Especially when fighting at home. They'd rather get killed, than give up or surrender. So the only way for Joshua to stop Povetkin in Russia, would have been through a concussive KO. And although it's possible, it's unlikely.