Its an interesting question because people so easily forget and remember what suits them. Joshua went to alot of effort to win and unify 3 of the titles. I have always said that I felt that could be draining (mentally and physically) in that every fight was a big event rather than gaining experience with lots of lesser fights. When someone has done so much, it only takes one bad night for it to end. Now I dont think the Joshua of 2/3 fights previously would have lost to Ruiz and this is where it could all change. If Wilder were to beat Ruiz and retire having won all of the titles, I expect many fans on here would rate him higher and it would really be based on one win to a fighter that Parker has a win over and without having to go through the fights that Joshua did like undefeated Martin for a title, undefeated Breazeale in only his 17th fight, Wladimir Klitschko, undefeated Parker etc to get those fights as well as facing Povetkin. I think many will forget how someone got there but I think Wilder may have been well managed (if that is due to management or just clever) in waiting patiently for the right opportunities
He already gets it a lot. Sometimes too much, but sometimes too little too. Btw, is he the only "skinny" heavyweight around?
I don't agree that Joshua was rattled or anything. He's fought in front of massive crowds. He's a celebrity outside the ring. He's used to attention. Ruiz was a late sub and incredibly polite. There was no trash talking or anything of the sort. I just think Joshua is sort of a sucker for a counter left hook on the inside. He doesn't seem to see them very well. Whyte staggered him with a left hook in close. After Joshua floored Wlad, Wlad stopped Joshua in his tracks in the fifth with a left hook that shut down Joshua's forward momentum and allowed Wlad to take over the rest of the round (Wlad sensed it and started throwing a lot of left hooks after that one had an affect). After Joshua floored Ruiz, Ruiz also rocked Joshua with a left hook he didn't see coming and started Joshua on the way down. So it didn't start with the Ruiz fight. Maybe Joshua has bad peripheral vision in his right eye. But counter left hooks on the inside seem to not only surprise him but rock him (because he doesn't appear to see them coming). He needs to keep his opponents at a distance and at the end of his shots. When he does that, he's fine. He was fine against Ruiz, too, until he dropped Ruiz and then Ruiz got up and stepped inside with that left hook. Then the wheels started to come off. It wasn't fame or pressure or nerves, he wasn't drugged ... apparently Joshua is just a sucker for a short left hook.
As for Wilder, I think Wilder is respected by everyone in the sport. He just doesn't get respect with the fans on this board. I think it's because British fans thought the British heavyweights were going to dominate the division for a while. And Wilder not only crashed the party, he's starting to take over the party while they're all falling by the wayside.
He might go to aisle 11 for "due respect" items. they are a bit too expensive for him at this point though.
Agreed and that has always made cringe too. It's like a form of brainwashing for the gullible cretins.
Oh please. Give me a break. Maybe Wilder should defend against Sefer Sefari, Francesco Pianeta, Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin. Would that be better? It's good enough for the LINEAL champ, right? Luis Ortiz could beat Sefari, Pianeta, Schwarz and Wallin on the same freaking night. Weak opposition? Meanwhile, Joshua is getting blasted into the floor four times by late sub Andy Ruiz and Fury is scouring Europe for LINEAL title challengers who couldn't even beat Kevin Johnson. (LOL) Some of you guys need to remove your heads from your bums.
Hes fighting a 40 year old, legs shot chinny Ortiz next, and trying to pretend punching bag Kownacki is a legitimate contender so he can fight him after. He fought Fury coming off a 3 year year layoff who was 450 pounds 12 months prior, and every other opponent hes faced was sub standard by far. At 35 years old towards the end of his career, dismal. Worst champ since Prino Carnera, and why he doesnt get the respect when people pretend hes a champion. Nuff said.
Fury's defending his LINEAL title against Seferi, Pianeta, Schwarz and Wallin. Again, Ortiz beats all those clowns in one night. Hell, Primo Carnera beats those clowns in one night. The Fury garbage has run dry. He had a year in the gym AND TWO FIGHTS to prepare for Wilder. And Fury was in great shape for Wilder and also sharp as hell. Fury was fatter for his last fight than he was for Wilder AND PIANETA. So I don't want to hear any more garbage about Fury being even better for a return. The only guy who had an off night when Fury and Wilder fought was Wilder. Fury had one of the best nights of his career. Wilder didn't, and still had Tyson on the floor twice. Wilder stops Fury once Tyson grows a sack and agrees to the rematch that he BAILED ON this spring.
I tell ya Deontay don't get no respect. He went to his psychiatrist and told him "Everybody hates me" The psychiatrist said don't be ridiculous..everyone hasn't met you yet. No respect I tells ya.
I think you may have misunderstood what I meant or I wasn't overly clear. I know Joshua is used to being a celebrity. I think that was the draining part. Every fight has been an event rather than just a learning boxing match. I think he was mentally exhausted. Not rattled but tired of it. Many famous people have breakdowns due to the limelight. Now I'm not suggesting he had a breakdown but do think he may have been mentally worn out from it all. I didn't see any punches from Ruiz that looked harder than some he took from povetkin or wladimir and I am not sure Ruiz punches harder than breazeale. I think Joshua of a few fights previously would have won but have thought for a while that he looked a bit jaded which I mentioned in a thread I did before the Ruiz fight. I agree that I think some styles may trouble Joshua but don't think Ruiz would have beaten him previously
