AJ vs Trevor Berbick Bonecrusher Smith Pinklon Thomas Tony Tucker Tyrell Biggs Larry Holmes (the version who fought Mike) Tony Tubbs Michael Spinks Frank Bruno Carl Williams Buster Douglas and as an honorable mention lets include Alex Stewart and Razor Ruddock
Style wise you need boxing and power to defeat Joshua who Mike Tyson ever fought. Razor Ruddock at 6'3 235 or so possesses the most danger along with the long reach and left hook that Joshua needs to be aware off. Also Ruddock had an equal if not better form of uppercut to Joshua when landed on point. The irony here is you put a sizable decent explosive puncher as an honorable mention when he is certainly a top 3 Tyson opponent capable of at least landing a K.O blow to Joshua from outside or inside???? Outside of Holmes , no non power puncher wins or a slower power puncher like Bruno...you NEED certain things when facing Joshua and you better be good at them...ask Klitchko.
Well I started to only put a prime Tyson's title opponents, but since Ruddock and Stewart technically weren't title opponents, I put them as honorable mentions.
For some reason, I think Stewart may have posed some difficulty to AJ for a few rounds. I think Bruno loses in a competitive match up, Williams might have had more technical boxing skill but would be betrayed by his chin, Thomas' skill and chin would be problematic, Spinks had the style to cause an upset, Tony Tucker would be a difficult opponent and Douglas as well. Tubbs also had the style to cause an upset, many say he was robbed vs Bowe. AJ could potentially beat all of them, but he'd encounter his share of trials and tribulations.
Tony Tucker clearly poses the most threat then, the others? Not so much. No one would have the attributes to deal with him besides Bruno but he wouldn't have the speed or stamina being also outweighed by 20 /25 pounds then. He would be pushing the bigger Joshua's weight around which would certainly tire Bruno.
Tubbs would get battered, Bowe didn't like getting jabbed at that's why Tubbs looked good against a somewhat green Bowe. Joshua would bounce Tubbs all over the ring the first right hand that lands he's finished.
AJ has yet to prove that he can beat a prime top world class opponent, he would be just as expected to win as to lose. I'd say he is 50/50 with each titleholder expect tucker who would probably outpoint him. Hell even Smiffy would have an edge in ring smarts and I feel on reflection he would handle AJ..thus far.
AJ beats them all apart from Tucker in which I believe the fight would be a true 50/50 fight. Regarding Ruddock, as a fighter he is solid and would be a solid defence but he failed everytime at top level. Ruddock would have his moments but he'd be stopped in 8.
