British boxing: why is TALENT inversely proportional to LIKEABILITY?

I'm not sure why anyone would dislike Fury either.
Of course, he's boring and repetitive sometimes, of course he talks a lot of crap, but his contradictions are so obvious, his false statements are so obvious ("I'm not about the money") I don't know how anyone can be offended or bothered by them, it's all quite funny really, at worst it's merely a bit boring ....... but when he's talking sense, he's the best at it. When he's sharp and talking sense about an upcoming fight or that kind of thing, when he's on form, he's got an insight and intelligence and straight forwardness, plus stoicism, and confidence that's rare.

 

Fair points, agreed on all accounts. The celebrity/diplomacy dynamic regarding being constrained by financial incentives is probably one of the reasons why I find most mainstream celebrity personalities dull. The only thing I would say is that Joshua doesn't need to be as corny and plastic as he actually is, but he is playing the safe game and I do think he's a bit thick - maybe not on Wilder levels.

 

I think Joshua has always come across as someone who's repressing their true personality. There's been a few telling incidents over the years, the 'Superior' DMs to Eddie Chambers and some of the questionable political media he's posted himself watching on his snapchat.

His public facing personality has to be pretty corporate friendly. It's obviously modelled a bit on Wladimir Klitschko who tries to be gentlemanly and doesn't say anything particularly risqué.

The issue is that Joshua genuinely isn't very charismatic so it's even harder for him to broadcast a very safe media friendly personality and I think lots of people can see through it. All the 'stay humble' stuff is sickeningly transparent and superficial also.

That said, like you I think he handled himself well in the defeat and I've probably liked him a bit more over the last 18 months or so. He seems a bit more at ease in the media and likeable.

 

That's right, regarding Klitschko and I think the Klitschko comparison also ties in with the other points you made. I doubt that W. Klitschko is the "gentleman" he is portrayed as by fans and the media, considering all the underhand and dodgy contracts. He was also known for allegedly being in the pocket of anti-doping governance (which is seriously corrupt) whereby he'd have the outfits pester his opponents like crazy and no doubt had "preferential treatment". I have no issue with doping, because I'm a professional sports fan, but this kind of corruption is sickening from someone who is clearly juiced to the gills.

I wonder if W. Klitschko takes commision as an ongoing Joshua consultant. They seem like a match made in heaven. Klitschko was the type of ego that needed that respect from someone in order to respect them in return. He got none of that from Fury not long after Fury was first invited to spar.

 

Looks that Klits always had intent to be business ppl, politicians.

There looks that a lot impact also had thing that he mainly had turned into well known amateur superstar in tournaments on foreign soil.
1993-1996 looks that all 9 most notable am achievements he had in : Greece, Denmark, Turkey, Tunissia, then 2X in Germany and 1 in England, Denmark and Olympic Games in U.S.
Interesting that he had pro fight in Switzerland. this too brings some impact.

 

Difference is that Joshua realises he's thick, Wilder doesn't.