Joshua May Have Fought A Better Version Of Klitschko Than Fury

Fury beat Wlad in 2011 & 2015.

Wlad was prime in 2012

 

I think it's a bit of both. Yes Vlad was younger in the Fury fiight but had been on a long run. and had looked less then stellar in the fights before. I thought that Vlad looked far more focussed against Joshua who as they had sparred knew what to expect. Vlad just didn't look that good against Fury which is mostly due to what Fury did. but also maybe underestimating Fury as a challenge and really only making an effort in the last round. So although a slight physical decline I think mentally he was in a better spot with the AJ fight. the break obviously had a positive effect on him mentally as he looked pretty good for his age against Joshua. So not clear cut at all.

 

In terms of decline, he was probably more declined, no doubt about it, but both Klitschko version was just a shadow of his former glory. That being said, in terms of performance, which is what is IMPORTANT, he was way better prepared for AJ and deliver way better with what he had in AJ fight, compare to Fury.

 

I just think that AJ’s style was better suited to give Wlad more opportunities where as Fury’s was a spoiler style tactic.

 

"For a start, you have to always give credit for a knockout win over a 12 round decision."

Decision wins can be far more comfortable and impressive than KO wins.

If for example you are outboxed, get knocked down, have gassed out, sustain a lot of punishment but manage to land a big shot late on that ultimately wins the fight at the end of the 11th (with a debatable hometown stoppage) is that as good a performance as a fighter who beats their opponent via 12 round schooling, where the opponent can barely land a glove? I would say that the latter is much more dominant, less risky and obviously better for a fighter's health and longevity.

Furthermore, it was a well known fact that Wlad didn't have a great chin: he'd been knocked down more than a dozen times in his career and had been KO'd on three occasions by less than stellar contenders. But in 67 fights he had never been outboxed, let alone schooled, let alone schooled as the A-side in his backyard. This defeat got to Wlad more than the others because it was an attack on his boxing brain and technical skills, which he held in much higher regard than his ability to take big shots.

 

You cant motivate your reflexes to come back.

 

Fury punked Wladimir so threw him off his game

For the Joshua fight, Wladimir was more focused. No mind games just straight business.

 

LoL this might be the lamest and most desperate thing I have read in a long time. The older WK was more succesful against AJ, because AJ’s and Fury’s skills can’t be compared.
LMAO that really made my day. TY

 

Difficult to say really.

Wladmir fought differently to how we fought Fury.

Fury ducked the rematch.

Wladmir was past his prime in both fights.

If Wlad had fought that way against Fury and let his hands go it could have been different.

Not likely though.

Wladmir said himself he was going to fight Fury different in the 2nd fight. I still think Fury would have won, but it would have been closer.