Compare the progression of AJ and Wilder's boxing abilities.

Joshua is much more skilled than Wilder period! Wilder is still the windmill and will get knocked out if he fights Joshua.......................

 

The canvas, maybe?

Sorry... just couldn't resist.

The truth is, this is an absolutely fascinating match up. Either guy winning by KO wouldn't be a surprise -- it seems inevitable.

Edit: Berman was actually beaten to a pulp in the first fight. Wilder also hurt him badly during the early rounds, but Bermane decided to grab onto Wilder's legs and drag him down with him. Then, Deontay broke his hand afterwards and decided to just box him.

Stiverne didn't really prove he could take those kinds of bombs from Wilder with a healthy right hand in tow. Their rematch lends credence to this.

That stoppage was actually good. Washington was hurt badly by the right hand that came behind the jab Wilder held out there for a moment to "hide" the shot... though you're correct that the left hook thrown by Deontay afterwards was partially blocked.

Upon further review, you'll find that Washington stumbled across the ring and fell into the ropes after he was stopped. Footage captured from a different angle exists out there.

After I first saw the fight when it originally aired, I had some reservations regarding it being a premature stoppage too... until the footage from the other vantage point was made available.

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Okay, back to the discussion at hand. It's fun to read the assessments being brought forth here. There are a lot of valid observations I see from most of you and this fight is going to be very interesting, should it come off before the momentum (and clamor) for it dies off.

A case can be made in favor of either fighter bringing troublesome attributes into the ring against the other.

 

What is a left hook to you?

 

Joshua is progressing really well, subtle little improvements each and every fight and when he fights he is concentrating and focused all the time, hes very very serious about what he is doing and being the best he can be. I do hope he doesnt go much bigger in weight than what he was against Parker. But overall he is aiming to have a full rounded and polished set of skills as soon as possible.

Wilder is definatly refining that unorthadox style of his, at times his footwork is improving, his accuracy is improving and he seems to be reading what is in front of him better and is starting to make use of some of the physical advantages he holds, mainly his reach. But that style will always leave him vunrable at times and his concentration and focus can slip still. But its all about delivering that filthy power as many times as possible each and every round.