Choose five Wlad-victims to beat prime Joshua

Chagaev's power shouldn't be rated highly because over a 5+ year and 9 fight run from J. Ruiz to Manswell (who Stiverne had previously obliterated in 2 and who Wilder would destroy in 1), he stopped no one and I don't think he even scored a KD. The best opponent he ever stopped was probably Sprott in 8. He pulled out of the Ibragimov unification due to having Hep B. Chag was a 5'11 fat cruiser plodder: how would he track down a defensive Joshua? Even Sprott said: "Chagaev is easy to hit for a southpaw". Great amateur, very mediocre pro.

 

It was much more difficult to outpoint Wlad than to stop him, hence three guys stopped him before Joshua (including a journeyman) and all did it quicker than Joshua did in London but only one man outpointed him in 69 fights. No one won more than 9/36 rounds against Wlad on the official cards prior to Fury winning 25/36 in Germany.

Joshua did boxed scared against Ruiz 2; a much shorter, stubbier, lighter punching and relatively untrained opponent with slow feet. He lost a lot of confidence post-Wlad and a lot more post-Ruiz 1.

Fury's scheduled to fight Usyk next, with Fury coming directly off a career worst performance at that. If he pulls out then you can crow with legitimacy.

 

He was a Wlad-conqueror, so like 2004 Brewster he's not applicable. Everyone would choose Sanders automatically, most as their first pick.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/corrie-sanders-best-wins-and-career-analysis.711676/

"Corrie Sanders is probably the most dangerous one-round fighter in heavyweight history." - Emanuel Steward

 

I'd pick neither version, though 2012 Wlad did a far better job on Thompson than 2008 Wlad. 2014 Wlad had just sparred with a young Joshua going into the Pulev fight so that's the version I'd pick.