AJ vs Wilder would be the most tense/exciting fight possible.

The best fight, but it won't EVER happen.

Both like to hold their feet. Neither like to fight laterally or going backwards.. Both have power, of two different types.

Both, Wilder especially use their height and reach for defence.

If AJ drilled that jab and utilized it better I'd pick him. It's down to who gets clipped and hurt first. AJ will finish Wilder brutally and Wilder would finish AJ brutally also.

Total pick em' fight.

AJ is mentally better than Wilder though.

 

I've always thought Wilder would probably beat Joshua, but after the Fury rematch I have questions about whether Wilder will ever be the same.
I'll go with the safe bet right now, and pick AJ by KO.

Pity the fight will never happen though.

 

Levels.

AJ isn't that special, but Wilder has consistently ducked not just AJ but every other contender in decent physical condition throughout his career and his resume is pathetic as a result - yes, he's always got a punchers chance, but that's about it.

AJ-Fury would be far, far more interesting.

 

Joshua vs Wilder is the most electric fight that could be made in the sport. Not the best competitively, but it would be a huge event. Should have happened in 2019. I think Wilder may have been a slight favorite, but given his age, beating at the hands of Fury and apparent instability I now favor Joshua. Would still love to see it, but don't think it will happen unless they both lose first.

 

Honestly think Fury runs a ring and blows through AJ just like he does Wilder.

 

If Wilder beats Fury, then a Wilder v Joshua fight would be stellar. Probably more exciting than Fury v Joshua, if Fury beats Wilder again.

Ironically, i'd be willing to bet that if Wilder beats fury, then Wilder would be less likely to face Joshua and instead continue his pattern of taking easy paychecks fighting bums. Whereas if Wilder loses to Fury again, then facing AJ may be the only chance he has left for a title shot... but would AJ risk it?

 

I've always thought AJ dominates him and stops him early.

Even before Fury dominated Wilder I had been saying Wilder doesn't fight well on the back foot you only have to watch his fights vs Washington and Szpilka to see that, the moment he stands his ground and stops backing up in those 2 fights he stops them both.

Fury in the rematch basically did what I expected Joshua to do had they fought, come out aggressively behind the jab, back him up, taking away his power and then dismantle him. Only difference I see is Joshua has more power and finishes Wilder in the 3rd.

 

Are you referring to the 2016 version of Joshua or the more recent version, because these days he's fairly cautious. Even now after Wilder getting decapitated by Fury, I don't think he would go seek and destroy on Wilder because that would pose the greatest risk. He would mind his defense, wait for opportunities to get close and rip combinations at his preferred range. No version of Wilder could punch in combination with Joshua, so AJ just needs to make certain he gets there.

 

I agree,

 

Even now I think Joshua and McCracken know you can't sit back and wait on Wilder, Fury proved that. While Joshua indeed as an inclination to sit back and counter which is a good approach for some fighters, against Wilder that just gives him more opportunity to land that big punch.

So I think Joshua will know to come in and dictate from the start should the fight happen now.

 

Does Joshua have the chin or the balls to do what Fury did though? Tyson had to walk through some big punches to get up close to Wilder.

The only thing I'm certain of is a Joshua V Wilder fight doesn't see round 7.

 

It's not about balls it's about knowing the right strategy. People didn't believe Fury would do what he said in the rematch having been floored twice by Wilder yet he did because he had been instructed to back him up behind the jab.

Joshua would do the same, feints and jabs to make Wilder back up without exposing his chin, once he has him on the ropes, boom, fights over. This is exactly what Fury did control Wilder with the lead hand feints and in rd 3 he moved Wilder onto the ropes, right hand down goes Wilder.

Scary thing is Fury only had 7 weeks I think with Sugar Hill to work on the strategy. He will likely have added much more to his arsenal for this 3rd fight. I expect Wilder to have less success clinching Fury next time. Fury should have picked up some of the methods Lewis used to use to manipulate his opponent inside. Fury/Wilder 3 might look like Lewis/Grant.