Wlad has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

He should've used that AJ's gift in 6th. Man was barely standing upright, if that's not the time to ditch your years&years developed cautiousness...
As good as the fight was, hard to accept that there's so many "if only's"

 

he enhanced his legacy in a strange way. I just felt he couldn't put it together to finish Joshua like he would have in his prime, a lot of punches he just couldnt land. He was the better boxer but Joshua's brute force got to him, lucky for AJ he made it to that point himself. i think that brute for would win a rematch though so really hope Wlad retires, he cant keep taking beatings like that at 41

 

He has nothing to be ashamed of, but he ought to see it's time to hang them up

His run it over ...and despite his physical conditioning and supreme dedication and discipline and training, he can't fight on this level anymore at his age

Retire Vlad- don't take any more losses

 

Yes Wlad is 41 but he is a big, strong, fit. experienced and skilled boxer, i think Joshua with his 19 bout pro fight record showed up well against him, some fighters MIGHT have finished Joshua after him hitting the deck, but would they have survived to that point, or been able to deck Joshua, Wlad brings a helluva a tool kit to the ring, just see the rankings he held prior to this bout.

Joshua admits he is still a work in progress, so fair play to him.

 

he would still give Parker and Wilder hell, just like he did Joshua.

 

I doubt the rematch contract being honored would go over well with fight fans


That was a very decisive victory there's no need or demand for them to fight again


All questions were answered regarding these two fighters against each other

Retire Wlad

 

Wlad, at 41, enhanced his legacy tonight.

He has no right to be competing wit AJ, and proved he is/was a top HW.

He is clearly past his prime, and struggles to pull the trigger, but experience, skill and ring IQ kept him competitive, arguabley winning until the emd came.

He should retire and leave with reputation and dignity. He was 50% of one of the ATG fights tonight, and if the fine margins went his way.... easily be walking away champion.

 

Wlad wasn't over the hill, he wasn't slow he looked terrific! I was sure Joshua was done after he got KO'd he looked shot beyound belief but still managed to win! What a great fight we got treated with! Still buzzin!

 

There is plenty there for a rematch. I will respect whatever Wlad decides but he showed he has plenty left.

 

Wlad should be proud of what he brought into the ring tonight. He obviously got himself into the best possible shape a 41 year old version of him could be in. He took Joshua to the brink of defeat and showed tremendous heart and desire, it was inspiring. He also proved a prime Wlad would easily beat this Joshua.

 

Before this fight I would have said Wlad should probably retire win or lose... but he looked and conducted himself like a truly hungry challenger tonight. I thought in the lead up his talk of being hungry and obsessed was just talk.. now I believe it.

Based on what we saw tonight I will be genuinely sad if he does retire and I never thought I would say that about him. He could still be a real force at HW for some time yet.

 

He still beats everyone not called Fury or Joshua. He's still 3rd best HW in world. Parker would get UD'd and Wilder would be blasted out in 2 rounds.

 

Can't say I agree with that.

I would definitely favour Prime Wlad on this evidence, but in no way is it an easy win. I stated in another thread that I believe Joshua and Fury to be Wlad's two best opponents so I don't think you can say that he would beat either one of them with any certainty, prime or not.

 

He was phenomenal. He took a prime Joshua into deep waters and if he was a younger man he'd have won. Wlad had a great gameplan, he just was too old on the night.

This man is 41 ffs and hasn't fought for 18 months. What a legend he is.