I believe this claim is made primarily due to Joshua’s losses coming against naturally smaller men, Usyk x2 and Ruiz 1 (though it should be noted that Ruiz was 20+ lbs heavier than Joshua at 268 lbs in fight 1). Post-Cornish, the only opponents Joshua has fought who were the same size or bigger are 41 Wlad (life and death over 11 rounds, clearly Joshua’s hardest win), 39 Helenius (7 rounds, busted up Joshua’s nose and eyes, Joshua between rounds: “It’s hard to land my right hand”) and Breazeale (7 rounds). Wilder KO’d Helenius and Breazeale inside 1 round apiece but the three Fury fights don’t suggest that he’s better against bigger opponents. Wlad destroyed Jefferson and Austin, dominated McCline and Wach and beat Thompson x2 but again, I don’t believe the evidence suggests that he was better against bigger opponents. Had Joshua not fought Usyk, some would claim that he was “better against southpaws”, based on him dismantling Martin and Wallin. In my opinion Joshua’s lost to smaller opponents and had more trouble with them in general because virtually all of his better opponents have been smaller. And he lost twice to a southpaw because his best opponent was a southpaw, though Joshua claimed that Usyk’s stance was a contributing factor in his defeat. Joshua finds it easier to land on opponents who are slower, less agile, less fit and less skilled (who other things equal, tend to be bigger) but so does everyone! Would Joshua have had an easier time with Usyk if Usyk had been 6’5, 240 lbs with the same level of talent? I think Joshua would have got stopped. If anything, the fact that Joshua’s fought so many smaller opponents is evidence that his matchmakers regard them as being less dangerous, whether that's due to them having less range, strength, durability or power.
Its hard to judge tbh. Usyk was simply much more skilled than AJ. Whereas, AJ has always been better than Ruiz really. We will learn more when AJ fights the bigger guys such as Fury, Zhang, Hrgovic, potentially Jalolov. Not sure if I'd say Ngannou counts. A shame we never saw AJ V Wilder in 2019.
No, Francis will batter him. AJ performs better against opponents who shrink after getting touched by him and run around on the outside looking to make the distance. Wallin & Parker for example.
Bigger taller men who can box well but can't punch and are chinny are his bread and butter. That doesn't mean he'll do so well against N'Gannou though.
I have a similar gut feeling when ngannou plays the cards right . There is a possibility ngannou first breaks anthonys mind with his shot resistance and then breakes anthonys chin with his power .
Helenius can wack a little bit, not on N'Gannou's level but he does bang. That's why I have doubts for AJ in this fight. Possible cherry pick gone wrong here.
