Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua last minute replacement

It's not great but I would argue that Joshua is not really an instinctual fighter. To beat anyone half decent he needs to prepare for that type of fighter for weeks. I don't think he would have lost Ruiz I if he had weeks to prepare. McCracken would have got him to maintain distance and he got a points victory. As it stands he when in without a clear game plan drilled into this head. One more loss and he out of the picture at world level. If he suddenly switched to Hrgovic style opponent on short notice he would probably lose. So it's not reasonable to expect him to pursue such a fight. I suppose the only question for me

On way of looking at is this. A 3/10 PPV card has now turned into a 7/10 non PPV (not free to air as you need DAZN sub). Relative to the cost the card now much better. For 'TV' fans it's a net win.

 

Jordan reminds me of the usual fools on this forum who hate Hearn. They sound exactly the same. All blinded by hate.

 

Trolling.

 

Jordan SMASHED Hearn in that Talksport interview. Ed is a full time desperate bull crapper for life.

 

I agree. Still have a boxing card on at the weekend, and for those that we’re buying, save a few quid

 

Nah thought it was very poor from both tbf

 

My lord how bad have things went for the Humble One in such a short period.

31/5/19 Joshua was the next Ali about to conquer the USA and rule the division for years.
8/8/23 Joshua now scared to face a live opponent and now up against a glorified journeyman who fought the previous weekend.

Jesus wept

 

Hearn and others have said it's fine for heavyweights because they don't make weight, but surely they have an optimal weight for the next fight? Joshua says he doesn't bother about it, just trains for the opponent and the weight lands (but it lands for a reason). Helenius will have prepared to fight a taxi driver and not go past 4 rounds so presumably he's not light on the feet.

 

It is scandalous to say the least.

There is no way Joshua would fight the following weekend if Tyson Fury or Wilder required a late opponent.

 

If somehow Helenius gets seriously hurt by Joshua next Saturday, something nobody wants to happen but could happen, many will point at him having fights in consecutive weeks as one of the possible causes.

 

That a good point ,but he was lighter for the Milelonen fight then the Wilder fight which would suggest he done a proper camp.

In any case despite all this faults, Joshua is quicker and generally a better technical boxer than Helenius. Helenius only chance for me is to turn a street fight and puts it on Joshua. Then the question of Joshua mindset comes into play. He might just collapse under the pressure, freeze and then Helenius catches him. One of AJ problems going into this fight is he is 100% expected to win and it embarrassing if he loses. that creates its own mental pressure. You look someone like Price and you can how pressure can effect a fighter. So for me Helenius only chance is a early stoppage in a shoot out. If AJ gets into the middle rounds and into a rhythm it does not matter how fit Helenius is, in any case what is a 39 year old Helenius peak achievable stamina anyway?

 

boxers generally have a rise and fall in their careers. it’s normal.

unless they get obese and fake mental illness to swerve a doping ban, then quit to do exhibition bouts against MMA fighters

 

All fair points. I've not seen Helenius this past weekend, only second-hand reports on the fight. And you're absolutely right, AJ doesn't deal well with doubts - the only time he's really coped with it was facing Ruiz the second time, when it got so defensive even Ruiz was egging him to come out and fight. This weekend should be routine and probably quick, but that makes it kind of intriguing in a way.

 

Correct regarding Fury but this Joshua rebuild is beginning to look very similar to the comeback of big David Price.

Will beat zero risk opponents but sad to see such a huge demise in confidence after 3 defeats.

 

Exactly! This is dangerous for the sport as a whole.