AJ v Kingpin I've seen a lot of contrasting opinions on this fight- everyone that thinks AJ is a world beater see's it as a waste of time, those with a bit more common sense see it as a fight which will see Joshua hopefully given rounds against a durable opponent who has mixed in world class which is needed for his progression as a fighter... See David Price as a example of an Olympian who was blowing domestic fighters away, stepped it up against Thompson and got found out as the gulf in class was too big - he wasn't progressed correctly so wasn't prepared. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLLS3uRd8E&list=UUdl_gZZR6BtKi45eHFGAduw Just watched the above IFL interview with Dillian Whyte. AJ was saying in the presser he'll be the first man to stop Johnson and will do inside 5 rounds - to which Johnson started banging on about putting a wager on it blah blah blah. Whyte brings up sparring in that interview and said he's been around Johnson for 2 Klitschko camps, including the one with AJ. He said Johnson actually got the better of the both of them in the spar and that this fight could be too early for AJ. He also mentions that both him and AJ couldn't land any solid shots on him during those sessions. I know you shouldn't delve too much into what happens in sparring, but hearing this as well as knowing that Johnson will be having a full camp so not taking a fight with fairly short notice as he's been known to do, fingers crossed we won't be seeing a fighter looking to solely survive and instead we'll be given more of an idea about just how good AJ is and if it was to go 12 rounds (as it did with Vitali, Fury & Chisora) how AJ looks over the 12 rounds distance. He needs tests, he needs rounds - let's hope this fight can provide that.
If Kingpin had any ambition further than a tough journeyman, he could give joshua some problems. but from what i saw vs fury and chisora, he wont. And joshua will unleash pain upon his head. Late stoppage, referee.
Anyone who thinks this fight is a waste of time is an idiot. What more do people seriously want from Joshua at this stage?
Excited about this. Good step up. What a statement it'd be if Joshua gets him out of there. I reckon this will be Johnson's first loss by KO / stoppage. His record isn't all that..
The phrase "step up" gets used a lot and whilst Johnson is not on the level he should be fighting at, he is a step towards there. The thing is in the heavyweight division, there is a major gulf in completion between the top and middle, you have to do the middle bit properly so you are prepared. I would discount what Whyte says to a certain degree, the two of them don't like each other and is going to try discredit and rile him.
See what your saying, but Whytes actually saying Johnson got the better of both AJ and himself and neither of them landed any solid shots... so he's not just being negative about AJ for the sake of it, he's also saying it about himself.
Can't wait for this fight, Johnston will def give him rounds, hopefully more than he's had in his career! Is it scheduled for 10?
This is a great fight but not for the reason most people think. Joshua has had 10 fights and he's fought seriously good comp for this early in his career. Each fight he has had has brought something for him in a way. Don't get me wrong he's no where near world level yet in terms of comp but I'm talking about starting off his career. Most people think Joshua needs rounds and Johnson will provide them for him. Well I think he may give him rounds but only because Johnson doesn't engage. The rounds he will get wont do him that much good. The reason this is a good fight is and if he can stop him it's s huge statement and if he doesn't stop him them it may bring Hearn down to reality a bit as to where Joshua is right now. It will give us a real good look into what level Joshua is at.but if he does stop him then that'll give match room a really good way to promote there fighter. But realistically he won't learn that much from this fight. It'll just show his level and either excellerate him up or slow him down a bit.
To be fair even if Johnson doesn't engage and that's how AJ gains rounds... it'll still be a learning curve in that he'll have to be patient, pick his shots, work on closing the distance and also his timing.