Nah mate, Joshua’s just gonna stand there and let Wilder smack him with his overhand right. Love it how most people see the Wilder vs Joshua fight on here. Apparently Joshua won’t be throwing punches of his own.
Joshua was fine tonight, and did what he had to in order to beat down a fringe contender. I do find it weird that he generates so much hate, but I find it equally weird that people act like he didn’t get crushed and forced to submit by an out of shape, late replacement fringe contender not that long ago. Right now, like it or not, based on the Wlad and Wilder wins, Fury is the top of the heap, and needs to be dethroned for anyone to claim otherwise.
AJ would be the best fighter of this generation by a fair margin but this era belongs to Furys who is more than 2 steps ahead of him.
He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get him out of there. One reason that comes to mind is that he hasn’t fought in a year, so it was good that he got some rounds in and looked strong.
AJ is much better than The Tuscaloser but if he fought like that against a soon to be 40 y/o old Pulev who doesn't pose anywhere near the threat with his right hand as The Tuscaloser does, what's he gonna do when he faces someone far more dangerous than Pulev or with much more variety who can match him for size and is in their prime? Wlad and Povetkin, like Pulev, were old and well past their best but at least they posed a significant threat with their power. I've always considered AJ a dangerous opponent for Fury but that's two fights in a row now he's boxed scared or very cautiously.
I missed the live RbR, but caught up and after reading most of this thread here goes. As is so often in sports the truth is somewhere in the middle of the partisan comments. On a pure name basis AJ has a better resume than Fury. Ofc Fury missed some years w/his personal demons and his comeback was quite amazing. Moreover three of AJ's name wins - Wlad the biggest - were all ~40 ffs. When you take than into consideration, their ring records are close. A few hypothetical questions: 1) AJ is 1-1 vs. Ruiz who showed up ridiculously (even by his standards) overweight in their 2nd fight. Does Ruiz beat Fury? 2) Fury is 1-0-1 (many think 2-0) vs. Wilder, who most agree has a tremendous KO right. Fury scored a dominating win in the 2nd fight. All before this AJ and Wilder were playing tag on social media, each accusing the other of ducking the other. Wilder has to be po'd at himself and his mgt for dropping the ball on that opportunity. Yes, I think AJ can beat Wilder. But do you think Wilder has a decent chance to KTFO of AJ? I do, I'd put it near 50-50. At this time Fury is the fav over AJ. I'm not suggesting overwhelmingly, but a solid favorite. Be interesting to see what the betting line will be.
No. If he does will be after he retires. But every successful fighter has his legion of haters (except maybe Martinez lol). This is nothing new. When was the last time a heavyweight threw 6,7 or 8 quality and effective uppercuts in a round like AJ did tonight? Good stuff from the champ. Good to have him back. Hope his next fight is a meaningful matchup.
He looked exactly the same last night as he did when he lost to Ruiz in Madison Square Garden. Joshua is the same Joshua. He's good, yes. If you stand in front on him and run out of gas before him, you're in big trouble. He puts his punches together well, and punches hard, and can finish things in style. But his boxing ability is mediocre. Put him in with slow old men like Pulev and he'll win every time though.
Joshua looked similar to the rematch with Ruiz. Light and fast on his feet, but against a superior outside boxer, with a inferior inside game. I thought he would stop Pulev but be behind on the cards. He was definitely ahead, the scorecards don't lie. Kubret would have needed a miracle in getting a nod with the judges, if it went 12 rounds. Knocked down four times. I had Joshua up by 2 or 3 rounds.