Arguably, he turned up not far off that in the third fight and still won. Whether that's because he's all wrong for Wilder, or whether it's just a "levels" thing (regardless of whether Wilder's been overrated or not), I totally agree Wilder just doesn't stand more than a fluke chance against Fury. And pre-Ruiz, I'm fairly sure Wilder thought (rightly or not) that he stood no chance with Joshua either... And until they fight, if it happens, we won't know whether he even beats the current shopworn, less aggressive and many would say less effective version of Joshua.
"And pre-Ruiz, I'm fairly sure Wilder thought (rightly or not) that he stood no chance with Joshua either" Lunacy. For starters Wilder saw 41 Wlad nearly spark Joshua with a right hand and have him out on his feet begging to be finished for several rounds. Joshua was badly hurt, gassed out and demoralised. Had that been a fighter with more audacity, killer instinct and confidence than Wlad, not to mention more athleticism than the old man (aka Wilder), Joshua would have got dusted in the 6th. Wilder knew he had every chance of taking Joshua out and given his delusional confidence (actually grounded in reality in this case), he would have regarded himself as a strong favourite. His team saw Joshua as far more of a risk than Wilder did. It was Joshua who gave off very negative energy about the fight, as well as the Hearns: "I always think about that one punch", "I need more experience before I take a fight like that", "I don't want another hard fight like Wlad", "Wilder's a massive risk", "Joshua needs to put the fight off for a while". These are verbatim quotes from 2017/2018, not opinions.
I also was confident in past that Joshua was nightmare for Wilder and should win with him. Off course always give Wilder big chance in that fight but favorite was AJ. I think history show us excatly that Wilder and his team also think that fight is to risky. Wilder never want be close to other punchers. That's why he decide to decline better option with Anthony and took Fury fight (he was sure "pillow fist dude" who even cant put Pianeta on floor also cant heart him). Now its different. Now Wilder talk about Joshua a lot because he have nothing to lose and he is near to end his journey. Joshua is Younger and got more time. But who is my favorite now? I see it 50/50 at that moment but want see this next fights od both. Probably win this one who lost less from best times. Hard to say who is that person. Joshua loss confidence and agression, not soo much health. And he is in his phisical prime Wilder is old now, probably (90% chance) after his prime + we have no idea how many health he lost in Fury fights. Helenius fight dont give us nothing new about Wilder. Parker fight should give us.
I agree with the first part. I personally have always felt AJ avoided Wilder as he knew the fight was incredibly dangerous and tried to delay it. Of course Ruiz changed the course of history but I would have given AJ in 2018 a solid chance against Wilder. Know I just don’t see him winning. Ignore the troll’s response also, he does not possess an ounce of objectivity.
If Wilder can death touch Parker early doors then AJ might have a heart attack before even fighting Wallin Wilder is not gifted by god he is gifted by the devil. He is a dangerous man. The guy got pasted by Fury 3x yet has lost no confidence. AJ still hasn't got over the little man chinning him.
I must ask because I always wonder. How You ppl who think AJ avoid Wilder know how to ignore some strong Facts. Wilder himself choose Fury fight when DAZN give him 100 millions contract with 2 fights with Joshua. He even admit that on Twitter himself. Second fact is the courage these two men showed in their careers. Wilder avoid good and dangerous official pretendents (Whyte and Povetkin) 5 years... Did You see ever Joshua avoid someone he must fight? Nope. He always looking for best fights. Dont understand how ppl soo easy change camp after Joshua losses his status. Ok he lost but dont change facts that he was most courage dude from them all and thinking they do all to avoid Wilder fight is for me weird.
Fury is nothing special. His list of ducks is far greater than his list of victories over good opponents anywhere near their prime.
Given Fury comes in shape once in a blue moon, he is very special. The guy finds a way to win always.
And not lost confidence because? He fight nobody after this ass whooping dude. One round with Helenius make u think he dont lost confidence? xD You live in illusion where Fury is some boxing God and because Wilder give him some problems he is semi God... Your hero look worse with Fury than Francis Ngannou dude. Soo there is 2 options. Fury not soo great or Wilder not soo good because novice box better than him and got only 10 rounds not 3 fights ...
Yeah, I still rate Wilder super high and can easily see him KOing Fury if they fight again. Wilder will go through Parker like nothing. Probably AJ too I think.
I like AJ but he did quit against Ruiz and he turned down 50 million to fight Wilder. Do I think it was all him avoiding the fight? Absolutely not, his team, DAZN, and Wilder’s people as well are responsible for the fight not happening. However when demand was highest in 2018 I do think AJ’s team could have done much more to make the fight happen. However do I think he wants to fight Wilder now, yes, I think he has done for a while. The DAZN deal was a poorly handled offer, that was admitted on their side.
Fury is the only man who can go into a boxing match with killers and still win on half mass. None of these other dudes come in out of shape. Ever. Fury does it every other fight. He is a born fighter. He doesn't need to live an athletes lifestyle.
50 millions offer was ****... They just catch Joshua on silly interview and use it to look more confident. Hearn ask them about detail and there was one big silence. DAZN offer was great. Gigantic. 100 millions is probably more money than Wilder earn in whole Fury trilogy. They even for Wilder dont take Hearn to official meeting because Deontay got some weird problem to him. That was brilliant offer. Not mention about Wilder himself saying that was better offer than fight with Fury. Wilder choose Fury not because he think he was better. Opposite. He think he was easier because got no punching power and comeback after years off. What about fired Lou Dibella because he talk with Joshua team about fight? You need to have very short memory to thinking that Joshua was reason why they dont fight. And You dont answer about part when I ask about avoid dangerous fight with other boxers.