As an AJ fan, I think hes stagnated

Joshua became a superstar because of his destructive nature in the ring, and how that was marketed. So, now we suddenly find ourselves feeling shortchanged when we don’t get that. Hearn will be the first to tell you that Joshua is a brand, but like all brands there is a level of expectation.

Joshua could put on a clinical performance, leading to an easy points decision, but most will still feel robbed. I’m the same to be honest; I tune in because I expect Joshua to dominate and systematically destroy his opponents.

Suddenly people are wondering what they’re going to get with him. Fortunately for his fans Joshua has been talking about returning to his brutal self. Is it just marketing? I don’t know, but we’ll see.

 

A fight against a top 5 HW went the distance and he fought him even. That really isn't a big deal (well, that it was an even fight is, but not that it went the full twelve).

Talk about an epic overreaction based on that one fight. I will say that it seemed to me some folks didn't properly see what Joshua brings to the table or how he fights. Wilder is the guy you watch to see destruction and feel weird if he doesn't do that, not Joshua.

 

Not a bad thing but not the way AJ wants to fight

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The WK fight told him one thing and one thing only, that he "can" be hurt and is one good shot away from being rendered unconscious, no shame in that though, it has happened to many fighters.

It instills a different type of fear in them where they fight completely different as they know they are not made of kryptonite, they become a better defensive fighter and there is nothing wrong with that, because at the end of the day if you get the win then you have achieved your goal.

But saying that when he gets cracked hard, I'm quite certain when he gets that white flash in his head it will trigger a natural offense.

 

people on this forum.

he's learning different styles. the only way to learn is to adopt them in fights that they know he will win.

he could have bulldozed all of them after wlad but his trainer knows that tactic isn't going to work all the time. he has to learn these things in the ring even if he has to take criticism.

somethings you cant learn in the gym, in sparring. fight night is a completely different atmosphere and your fighting a guy who is going to be fighting a style that would make it awkward for joshua.

going by most logic on here every fighter should have the key to each fight. we all know it doesnt work that way.

jeez

 

This post highlights the fickle nature of boxing fans. He's achieved more than most in just 21 fights. No fighter looks flawless every time out, especially at the top level. That's just an unrealistic expectation to put on anyone, particularly at heavyweight where one shot can change everything. Stagnated? Oh come on.

 

That us how I see it. AJ needs to beat Povetkin, age 39 impressively. A loss here, and he might not recover.

The good news for A fans is he lost some extra muscle. and seems to have improved stamina.

 

Actually I think he is getting better improving his all round game. I was particularly impressed by his performance against Parker as he shut Parker out effectively. A real champion who aspires to be a long term champion needs to be versatile which is what AJ is becoming. We know he can go the distance now and we also know he can stop opponents early as well as late.

 

I agree.

I think you can see him learning, making progress fight by fight. Flaws emerge as the standard of opponent improves, his next fight shows the progress he's made addressing those flaws.

His management of energy expenditure is improving, his use of the jab etc. I thought his control of distance in his last outing was outstanding. He's looking like a guy that's genuinely in it for the long haul. Prepared to change and to learn and to do the work required. Very impressive.

Hopefully in time he will integrate the ring generalship and improvements to his distance fighting with his impressive inside game. I'm not sure whether Povetkin is the guy to do that against however, he's going to be very dangerous quite far into this fight.

 

Yes!

Awhile ago I thought AJ would be around for another couple of years, have some wars, win some, lose some as its heavyweight boxing and leave a rich, young man, job done.

Now I think he may indeed plan to be around for much longer. He's doing all the right things and I'm happy to appreciate the good work rather than expect him to only ever fight in the way that he did on the way up.

 

Aj is flat lining his last two fights have been terrible .What we forget is that he is already a multi millionaire ! Maybe he has had enough of the game at wants to enjoy his money

 

With a quarter of his entire pro career fights being for world titles, AJ is touted as this talentless, chinny, ducking robot despite 3 of his last 4 opponents being the unknowns - Klitschko, Parker and Povetkin. The 4th, Carlos Takam was even a late replacement for the IBF no 1 mandatory Pulev. I don't know how this fraud looks in the mirror each morning... seriously though, I thought his public workout today displayed some of his best movement, sharpness and punch variation. I think we’re going to see a careers best performance next weekend.