...than anyone recovering from a punch. I thought he was for sure done. He looked at his corner laughing like he was embarrassed and went like "phew". He was dead tired that round.
Same here. I thought it was over to be honest. His tank was empty. Props to AJ for having the mental toughness and the conditioning to get his wind back under that kind of pressure. But he needs to work on that.... wayyyy too much muscle for him.
The way he ran out of gas against Whyte in the 3rd round IIRC was more alarming. Whyte cracked him with some big shots to the body and he was totally ****** for the rest of the round. Obviously he recovered and came back to blast Whyte out but for a short while he looked like he'd just ran a marathon with a fridge strapped to his back.
I agree, along with his excellent mental fortitude and conditioning -- which no doubt were an immense help to recovering from being dropped by that howitzer of a right hand, and his powers of recovery in general -- I think weighing in at the 235-240 range will be a lot more beneficial for Joshua in the future.
I think circumstance let AJ back in the fight, just my opinion, I don't think Klitschko had fully recovered himself to press the fight and really stick it on AJ because the round before he was dropped and looked rather shaky and he wasn't overly confident at that moment. I don't think Klitschko wanted to risk walking on to something himself even though he dropped AJ.. some say there is nothing as dangerous as a wounded animal and AJ was certainly wounded.
AJ was not only wounder but he was gassed as well in both round 5 and 6, finishing is an ATG trait and Klitschko missed the boat.
A question, all ifs but I will ask anyway.. if Manny Steward was in Klitschko's corner tonight at the end of round 6 with Joshua looking out on his feet would it have made any difference? Personally I think it would of, Steward would have insisted Klitschko close the show and I think Klitschko would have at least tried to finish the job. But like I say.. all "ifs"
Maybe, but if he had reasons and physical limitations in doing it, and if he's a little light on atg finishing, he more than makes up for it in other atg qualities.
Wlad had his shot and he didn't capitalize on it for whatever reason. He put on a good show and tested Joshua's heart as well as his skills. I saw what I needed to see in order for me to deem a fighter worthy to be called a champion. He is still young and still learning but he has the foundation to become a great champion.
