I thought so too for a bit but the Joshua we just saw has added another layer to his game. Wouldn’t surprise me if he gets to Wilder first. Probably a 50-50 fight to be fair. Both guys can be hit and both guys can bang.
He's never been down... Who has Wilder fought? Wilder is protected fighter, he's very carefully matched. He's own manager said that we are not interested in Klitschko fight. Look at Aj's resume Klitschko, Povetkin, Whyte, Takam, Parker, Ruiz. Wilder lost this b0lls and didn't sign a contract for $100+ mil. He's avoiding Whyte like plague.
Kind of ironic that you start a thread making a bold prediction and then advise that we “wait and see”? Is it just us who must “wait and see” or does it also apply to you and if so why make the thread? Curious!
Wilder has been visibly hurt multiple times now, and not always by shots that looked solid. Whoever lands a power shot first will likely be tye victor.
Wilders been down twice against opponents outside the top 300 ranked fighters, one of whom makes Ruiz look like a Greek Adonis!
You'll never know, because after turning down 120 million for all the belts v Joshua he chose to fight Ortiz for way,way less and he won't get that opportunity again!! Joshua don't need him, boxing don't need him, he's irrelevant!!
People here talking about skills and Joshua's "new style" and conditioning. Joshua is packing fine British glass. Wilder will have Joshua skirting the outside of the ring from the get go and absolutely control the real estate. You can't run from this praying mantis. First right hand ends this fight violently and instantly.
It’s always hard to pick against Wilder cos he is essentially playing a different game to everyone else - he just needs to do literally one thing. However, weighing up what we have seen recently, I think it’s rational to go with Joshua. This last month we have seen wilder *easily* outboxed by Ortiz, and prior to that *easily* outboxed by a comebacking Fury. Both times his power bailed him out. Whereas we have just seen Joshua add new dimensions to his game - a very impressive jab, good ability to stick to a game plan, fluid movement, and a gas tank to keep it up for the full 12. These are all improvements over things Joshua has previously been criticised by people on here. Joshua’s level of competition is also *leagues* above Wilders. Klitschko, Povetkin, Parker, Whyte, and Ruiz (who until today was a ‘master boxer’ who ‘had Joshua’s number’ and would ‘beat him 9 times out of 10’ etc eg) is a great resume. Yes, Wilder has fought Fury and Ortiz, but was losing the Ortiz fight badly, and - let’s be real - lost the Fury fight. His power saved him both times. Joshua is a heavy hitter, and can box very well, and has done it at a much higher level. He won’t be just flicking the jab like Fury. Unless Wilder does that thing he does - which can never be ruled out - then the rational pick would be Joshua.
He fought tactically against Ruiz, which was wise. That doesn’t necessarily make him gun shy - just prudent. He fought a very smart fight tonight and whitewashed Ruiz - styles make fights, and he chose to not fight to Ruiz’s strengths. Would expect similar tactical shifts against Wilder too. That doesn’t make you gun shy - *anyone* who fights Wilder needs to be wary of that right hand.