Anthony Joshua vs Riddick Bowe

In my opinion AJ hit considerably harder and was just a much beefier dude in general. I will also say that Golota seemed like a more natural fighter and frankly just more fluid and skilled. AJ has been criticized as being a 'manufactured' fighter and there is some truth to that I think. His abilities come, I believe, from long hours in the gym drilling.

With regard to your theory that Wlad depleted him, there may be truth in that. I've seen similar things happen in other sports. Brock Lesnar got a terrible beating from Shane Carwin in their fight before winning. In my opinion he never again showed the same grit and frankly was worse afterwards.

 

Ok, so the third.

 

Lesnar v Carwin was a great fight, I'd forgotten about that. Lesnar did show what a tough guy he was in that fight.

 

Bowe beats the hellll out of him

 

I think Golota gets a bit underrated.

He was a very skilled big man.

The way he rolled and turned on the inside avoiding Bowe's uppercut that was some very skillful inside fighting from Golota.

If Golota weren't such a headcase he definitely would've held a belt at some point.

And IMO Golota was very unlucky not to get the nod vs Byrd & Ruiz.

 

Bowe by brutal early KO . Total mismatch

 

Actually quite a good matchup.

I think I'd slightly lean towards Bowe as he was the more fluid fighter BUT he was suspectable to orthodox fighters so Joshua, if he boxed well, could pick up a W here.