Why does Wilder struggle with Journeymen?

He has a lot of fundamental flaws for them to exploit. He isn't particularly skilled and can be out boxed by guys who are not particularly very skilled like Washington and Szpilka. Ortiz too was winning their fight on most peoples scorecards before the stoppage too, even though he wasn't really doing much. But what he did was enough to win rounds.

Also his opponents are well aware of how fragile he is, that combined with his defensive flaws mean he doesn't really intimidate journeymen as they believe if they land cleanly they have a shot at an upset. Watch the Gavern fight, Gavern gives him zero respect, even after being dropped. Against Joshua, Gavern couldn't wait to get out of there, he knew he had no hope, but against Wilder these journeymen can sense the vulnerability there and so perform accordingly.

Wilder makes up for his flaws though with raw ability. He's tall, rangy, fast and powerful and against the guys he's faced so far it's been enough, even though he hasn't always looked great doing it.

 

Because he himself is a journeyman who was nearly dismantled by sub-journeyman

 

What a good reply,spot on.

 

Great post could'nt have said better.

 

The example of Wilder shows why balance and footwork are key in boxing. It's what kids learn FIRST in a boxing gym. Just Wilder never did. So that's why journeymen can take advantage of Wilder: they can outfeint him, they can counter him, they can land jabs on him.

It's all because Wilder leaves himself so open and off-balance so many times. Like a true amateur.

 

When Wilder was younger he had a traumatic experience with a journeyman. Serious PTSD.

 

Yeah his footwork and balance are awful. He's so gangly and coming to boxing so late meant he never had the time to build those fundamentals.

Joshua has far better balance but even for him movement doesn't come naturally and his poor movement is probably his biggest flaw too.

 

In some ways he reminds me of Marciano...not in style, looks or anything boxing wise only where he is fundamentally flawed but he makes up for it by being determined, in good condition and has a lot of power.

 

Poor skills, great athleticism.

 

And Wilder often likes to take his time. He actually thinks in there. (not saying he has a high boxing IQ, but he has enough)

 

He doesn't. Wilder just tends to be patient with guys that have punching power. Against Duhaupas and Stiverne (1st fight) Wilder took his time before opening up, since both have power.

Against light punching guys like Szpilka and Washington Wilder doesn't care about rounds, since he knows it's only a matter of time before he connects.

He was getting thoroughly outboxed by Ortiz, which I expected, since Ortiz in my opinion is still the most skilled heavyweight in the division. However, it still didn't matter, since Wilder knew Ortiz was going to tire and be ready to be stopped. Scott exposed that Ortiz
is harmless by the 9th round.

 

Where's the struggle?

 

He can be patient, that's something he's learned since winning the belt. He's realised he leaves himself vulnerable if he just opens up, we saw that in early defences against Duhaupas and Molina.

Now he's more tentative because of this, while he still has glaring defensive flaws he's mitigated them by not being so reckless. But the problem with that is it means he can be out worked and out pointed. We saw that vs Ortiz and Washington.

Luckily Wilder's power has bailed him out so far when he needed it. The Breazeale fight might be very interesting if Wilder again finds himself being out worked and out boxed and needs his power to bail him out. Breazeale has shown a good chin in the past, is not easily stopped and can be dangerous when hurt. Though as flawed as Wilder is I would be very surprised if Breazeale can out box him, Breazeale is very crude, but then again if Wilder is again too tentative that will just invite Breazeale to walk him down and out work him.

 

Because he’s decided to give up rounds (on the scorecards) and to allow himself to be “outboxed” just so he can focus almost 100% on getting a big KO.

Personally I think it’s a pretty interesting tactic.

He has 12 rounds to land a big hit and he’s clearly prepared himself to never let an opportunity go. By that I mean, if he wobbles you, he’s not going to let you off the hook after. He's a very strong finisher and that's no coincidence.

People are acting like he’s just getting lucky with his power. He’s not. This is a strategy he’s chosen and prepared for.