Did Povetkin lose to Joshua due to age or technical mistakes?

Age, his reflexes were declining

 

He looked to be slowing down a bit then AJ nailed him with that big right set up by the jab which Povetkin was a bit open for.

I think I actually had it 3-3 going into R7.

 

Povetkin would often have this habit of parrying with both hands, leaving himself open for the right, and Joshua capitalised by throwing the jab to the body and then throwing the straight right, but it was also reflexes from Povetkin.

His age meant he could react as well and ride the punch or use his feet to step back and take some sting off.

I do think Povetkin beats Joshua prime for prime. Povetkin from the Charr fight beats Joshua IMO.

 

His punch resistance was pretty much finished then.

 

A younger Povetkin would certainly have won. He had performed less well than usual in his three previous fights.
Against Joshua, He seemed exhausted by the sixth round. That said, I have 3-3 before the knockout. A good fight that I saw at Wembley.

 

His age presents a "what if" factor that can't be ignored...

He made Joshua uncomfortable at the peak of his confidence, when himself slightly past his best - they were pretty even at the time of the stoppage.

It certainly could've been different if Pov had been a bit younger - then again, Joshua was a good fighter, with massive power and on a good run, so it's entirely possible he'd have hung in there and found a way through anyway... It's an open question and always will be.

 

I think in his prime, Povetkin could beat AJ but it's not a given that he would of.

 

Povetkin gets pummeled by any version of AJ.

 

Povetkin was arguably winning at the time of the stoppage. He was clearly beginning to slow down some even though he was still a very capable operator. 2014-2016 Povetkin might have very well had his number.

 

Age, without a doubt.
He did well for a few rounds then had to slow the pace, stood right in front of AJ, started to look a bit stuck - and got nailed.
Still perhaps AJ's best win.

Technically, no one ever got hit without making a "technical mistake" or leaving themself open to the punch. By definition. That's boxing.

 

People underestimate just how much physicality matters in boxing and in combat sports. If you don't have the speed or strength necessary then you can't even execute proper technique. When I wrestled in high school, I had a match with one of the top ranked wrestlers in the nation. He was so strong that whatever technique I had was worthless because he was just grab me and toss me. When I grabbed him he would budge, he was like a piece of statue. The point is, once your reflexes or physical ability leaves you then technique isn't going to mean a thing.