Klitschkos reflexes and timing are almost gone

I'd rather rematch than retire.

 

Well you are right about how many times he missed the left hook.

Never seen him miss so many. Mind you credit for slipping them needs to be given to AJ as well.

 

His left hook was pathetic, missing by miles.

 

Yeah he struggled to land the left hook lead like he usually does. Not sure if it's reflexes, speed or timing or all 3.

His jab has also been gone for some time, that more authoritative jab has been missing for a while and with AJ adopting a strategy of blocking Wlad's jab with his glove and forearm he took away one of Wlad's best weapons. Wlad basically was a one handed fighter, he really only had success with the right hand, luckily for him has one of the best right hands you'll ever see from a technical stand point.

 

It's still a sport of reflexes. Always has been and always will be.

Injuries/age/wars/etc. subtract from the reflexes category. Most boxing fans fail to acknowledge it and think guy's can pull a miracle and go back in time. They can't.

What some can do instead is alter their style somewhat to compensate. But realistically, how many guys can be just as effective with those newer stale reflexes compared to their careers with their youthful reflexes?

The other consideration is becoming the old guy facing the pedigreed up and comers.

 

I credit AJ's reflexes for evading those left hooks. I don't think a single one landed. It showed AJ was specifically prepared to take the thunder out of them. He ducked them like clockwork, I don't think that's a result that can be 100% attributed to Wlad's age. AJ deserves credit.

 

AJ came well prepared to defend against the left hook which really isn't hard to avoid unless you are Pulev.

Wlad dropping his arm and dipping his head pretty much give you a 'heads up' before he lets it fly.

Wlad was praised to high heaves for being nimble on his feet against Haye. Well, he was the same against AJ , his legs were still reactive enough to make AJ struggle to get within punching range.
If AJ hadn't beaten the count in round 6 nobody would have been questioning his reflexes and timing.

Wlad said he couldn't understand how AJ got back up at the presser. Landing his best blow that has previously knocked guy dead must have taken a lot of confidence out of him. A sustained attack would have taken AJ out of there but that was never Wlad , not 30's Wlad , not 41 Wlad.
He was going for the 12 rounds and that was a mistake. It works against guys like Haye but not against guys like Joshua who can't be shut down on the inside.

 

Agreed.

The other big thing--and I really doubted his ability to do it---was to keep those hands up. Heavies drop their hands as rounds go by. Bring their hands back slower and to their waist as they get fatigued. Especially the hitters.

Here we saw a guy with zero late round experience holding those hands up. How many heavies, once badly hurt, have that skillset to pull that kind of thing off for 5 rounds? And that's 5 rounds against Klitschko no less who eats up sloppy defenses and is an opportunist?

 

WK fought a great fight against a true champion!

 

Yeah agreed but his footwork for most of the fight was immense. First three rounds he was judging the distance so well. When he got in close that's where it went wrong for him. And yeah those left hooks were awful. Surprised we didn't see more body shots in there.

 

So why did you pick him?

 

actually the punch that took the steam out of Joshua in the fifth was a left hook, but the speed and reflexes are gone compared to prime Wlad. Yet he almost made it happen, such a shame the timing wasn't right for the fury and AJ fights.

 

Was the same left hook that was tko'ing fighter for decades. He has never been in with anyone ever with the reaction time of Aj. They spent time throughout camp specifically to train for the left hook. Exact same technique and same speed, actually faster than its been in many years.

Missing makes everything "look slower" than landing. You probably failed to see the left hooks he clearly landed too

 

His reflexes and timing are gone he should retire. Great champion, total class act, time to pursue other goals in life.