I'd say yes. He's got an impeccable resume over the last 12 years. Outside of Wlad and Vitali, the best resume from the main years of the Klitschko era. And arguably the second best resume right now. But he's never been "the guy" and lacks either the truly signature win or extended span of dominance as a champ being a true ATG requires. Beating AJ gives him that win and makes him "the guy". I'd put him in the top 20 HW ATGs at that point, maybe close to 15. Of course, he's got the failed tests to go against him, but we never really hold that against Evan Fields or others for similar concerns.
It'd be the greatest single win in the last 50 years of heavyweight boxing's history. Considering his age too, along with the difference between him and his opponent's size. It'd be equivalent to a rabbit, somehow miraculously beating a T-Rex. That's how low the odds are for me of this fight, when it comes to Povetkin's chances of beating Joshua.
I just dont see him as an ATG. Feels a bit harsh but its that Wlad defeat, makes me think he goes in with any other good big guys from past eras and he comes up short alot.
Agreed, Povetkin has no business winning this fight, 90% of people are saying he is washed up, too small... if he beats Joshua he should honestly be up there
It would be cherry on the cake to a fabulous pro and amateur career. The bookies have really got it wrong with the odds. Povetkin should be no more than 3/1 maximum! 2 or 3 years ago Povetkin would've absolutely destroyed him.
Yes of course. When the best fight each other, they become ATGs. Joshua, Fury, and Povetkin if he wins are all on the cusp. Wilder will never, ever be considered a great, or even a good fighter, because he seeks out aging cripples.
It's funny how so many try and put Joshua down, for example..... Should Povetkin win "It'd be equivalent to a rabbit, somehow miraculously beating a T-Rex." The guy with the second best active resume in HW boxing, is considered a 'rabbit' compared to 'T-Rex' Joshua. Just shows how good Joshua is......
I would say he's possibly there. Depends also on what AJ goes on to do after that. if Joshua comes back to dominate, it would be like Schmeling over Louis. Who else in this era has a clearly better resume? Wlad? Vitali? Joshua - although the win over old Wlad carries less weight? The guy's one of the top 3-4 boxers in the last 10 years I'd say. You could make the argument.
This. Not even close. Joshua has the potential to one day become a great fighter, but for now he's a 21 fight novice with a win over Parker, which was a decent win, but not much else. I can't give him credit for picking up two vacant titles against Wlad, who was retired,old, and shot. Povetkin would need to knockout both Joshua and Wilder back to back and defend the undisputed title a few times to even break into the top 30, since his resume despite having over 30 fights isn't all that.
Povetkin really has no almost no chance of ever being considered a Top 30 heavyweight. As others have stated, Joshua is a young champion, a work in progress, and not an ATG himself. But it would be Povetkin's best victory ever, and it would land him his first major world title, so it would be significant.