Carlos Takam continues to be the most underappreciated heavy in the sport

First off, he didn’t have a choice it was either fight Takam or lost the belt.

And Takam will be his second best win if he beats him as expected. Joshua is just on another level atm.

Takam would be Wilders best win ffs! Yet Joshua is fighting him as a last minute replacement.

 

Takam is a good heavyweight(I'd put him in the second half of the top 10) and does seem underappreciated.

He beat Thompson and had a draw with Perez that most though he won. He gave Povetkin and Parker tough fights as well.

I'd rate Pulev a little higher than Takam but I think Joshua-Takam is a better fight action wise.

Takam is an excellent opponent for less than two weeks out. Since he was already training for a fight and knew he was the back up plan he should be in fine shape.

Good fight and credit to him and Joshua for agreeing to fight each other on such short notice.

 

Totally agree and yet somehow Whyte gets the fans plaudits without the record and let's be clear for anyone dissing this replacement,This guy is above and beyond anyone who Wilder has fought inc the Buffet King who went life and death in his last fight with Rossey,what would Takam have done with Rossey or the Buffet King.

It is what it is,a next in line replacement on the IBF list after Pulev and apparently he's been in training should this opportunity arises so fair play and we all seen enough HW fights by now to know that they all can bang and as Lennox found out,if you're not switched on a hungry opponent like this can put you to sleep esp in the first four rounds.

 

Takam is a durable opponent with great boxing fundamenetals. Hell, don't even count him out against Joshua - people are already writing this off as a Joshua sure-win just like they did with pulev.

 

Perfect scenario would be for Pulev to be fit to fight after a full training camp. But on such short notice, and being realistic, this is about as good as can be asked for, it could be a hell of alot worse. No point throwing out names like Wilder, Povetkin, Haye, Whyte or Parker these are fights they would want to be built up and some couldnt be made anyway.

Above everything though its got nothing to do with Joshua or Hearn as far as im aware, this is a mandatory defence and the IBF has chosen Takem. Ive seen a few idiots on here saying he should throw the belt away and get a better fight. What a dumb thing to say although i suspect these people know they are talking crap.

 

Whyte gets plaudits because he wants fights.

He tried to get Wilder, even offering the American a career high pay day, but Wilder didn't want it.

He wanted Parker straight after hughie fury pulled out initially.

 

Oh for sure and has my respect as you just know he'll fight anyone and isn't scared of the loss like so many.
He can bang and on the eye test is looking good after that left shoulder surgery.
Between Takam and Whyte there's not much in it but I'd probably favour Whyte.

 

Takam has fought

Tony Thompson
Alexander Povetkin
Joe Parker
Mike Perez
And now Anthony Joshua

Guy is legit. Far better names on his resume than the clown holding the WBC strap hostage

 

Whereas I think Joshua would walk thru Pulev, I believe Takam will surprise an over confident Joshua.

 

It depends on what kind of shape he's in taking this fight on short notice. Not to mention he's a small heavy.

 

If Takam is in shape he's probably more likely to give AJ a test than Pulev would. Takam seems less of a target from where I'm sitting.
AJ is a pretty devastating heavyweight right now, so it could be another quick KO but I won't be surprised if Takam puzzles him a bit or even takes him the distance. If I had to bet I'd go with "AJ KO" but Takam's no fool.

These days ordinary contenders have to act like thugs or children or idiots to have fans. As far as I know Takam is a quiet man who acts his age. That might be why he's underrated.

 

X2.

 

It says something for how big the heavyweights have gotten when a 6-2, 240+ fighter with an 80 inch wingspan is described as small. Takam is as big or bigger than Ibeabuchi and he is a guy who will be in shape and give it all he has. As some have mentioned, if he gets knocked out early, it says a lot for AJ. AJ should be favored, but Takam is a test and a guy who could pull the upset. I've only seen Takam fight a few times, but all were good fights.