How many years has it been since Joshua defeated a top 10 opponent?

The thing with Kabayel is he didn't really build on a solid win over Chisora back in 2017. And to be honest whilst I call it a solid win, this was a Chisora at a low-point in his career, selling his name to the Monaco crowd. He hadn't long teamed up with Haye, and rebranded as War Chisora. Still it was a solid enough win as Kabayel looked in complete control, but there was just something off about Chisora in that fight. It was like a friendly sparring session at times.

Unfortunately even though Kabayel would later sign with Top Rank. They clearly didn't fancy pushing him. They were far more invested in Fury (obviously), but also Ajagba and Anderson, and even Makhmudov. Kabayel was even fighting KingPin Johnson not so long ago. He should have pushed on and been a mainstay in the top 15, possibly the top 10. But it is what it is.

Funilly enough, on the topic of TopRank and the guys they backed. They are some of the worst for A-side corruption and deck stacking. I think it was no co-incidence that when Ajagba was in a fair fight against Sanchez on the joint PBC/TR card he was found wanting. While Fury, Ajagba, and Anderson have benefit greatly from A-side priveledges, Kabayel doesn't seem to have done. And likewise Wallin carved a path as a B-side

 

I don't care either way, just responding to the thread.

 

I think Wallin was top 10 when he fought Fury. Had never been stopped and gave Fury trouble. That was deserving of a high ranking.

 

Completely agree my friend. What you've basically provided is a paperthin record. A manufactured, protected and over promoted boxer.

 

Bloody hell Miniq I actually agree with everything you just said! I'm speechless.....!

 

Well he has the second best HW resume so if that's true it doesn't say much for the HW division does it lol

 

Thanks, I always appreciate a long essay that leaves out the most important part: your own rankings for 21st December 2023...

Actually, my rankings are similar to the BoxRecForum of December 2023 (because I vote in them). But, I personally felt Joyce was too high after suffering back-to-back stoppage losses. Though, it is difficult to justify dropping him below Parker who he had beaten the year prior.
Parker was on a rebuild from 2019 to 2022. He then lost again. He was on a rebuild again in 2023.

Actually, it is very common to drop professional fighters who don’t fight from rankings. My position is that there is zero excuse for being both inactive for a year and not even having a fight lined up. They are professional fighters after all.

There are levels to how much I expect an A-side to get away with.
*controversial results is just a note, it didn’t have bearing on the rankings, obviously. However, I choose not to ignore anything as blatant as Kossobutskiy v Ajagba (and Dubois v Lerena):
https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/hot-take-ajagba-v-kossobutsky-should-be-a-nc.709140/
If you want to look the other way that’s up to you. But let’s be honest to claim such a DQ should propel a fighter above his peers seems a little…how can I put this…

Thanks, you took the words right out of my mouth.

We all have internal asterixis, I’m just being transparent about my rankings.
Unfortunately, the only thing transparent about your rankings for December 2023 is that no one seems to be able to see them.



p.s. post your top 15, and we can continue this discussion. Or don’t, and we don’t.