Here's how I see it a win or a loss effecting each boxer: AJ wins: Gets an ATG on his resume, becomes easily the most respected, most unified belt holder with the best resume of all the titlists. The division runs through him. Barring a historically unprecedented meltdown, he has an easy path to a hall of fame career, and probably over 30% chance to be a true ATG dominant HW for this era. Best analog s historically have been Rocky and Tyson, and we saw how their careers went. Wlad wins: Facially a unique win, that will get alot of immediate acclaim and criticism both, due to AJ being unproven. The significance will inevitably increase or decrease with time as AJs career unfolds. Either way, barring an utter collapse by AJ, it will likely be his career defining win. It gives him the opportunity to unify all the belts. If he does that and AJ or one of his other victims becomes a great hw later on, it likely elevates Wlad into the top 5 all time or above. Even at the lower end, it moves him more firmly into top 10. AJ loss: Sides will develop as to whether AJ was "exposed" or whether it was too much too soon and an explainable loss to an ATG. AJ will still draw massive interest, and still have an ability to obtain an ATG career, if managed right, which he has been through this point in time. A smart rebound fight would be against Haye, which would draw huge money and interest. His likely win would put him back in immediate contention and position to wait out Wlad or rematch him. Wlad loss: While it's meaning will be mitigated by his age, it will be his 5th loss, and you can't discount that entirely. It will make his inclusion in the top ten and any ranking above his brother much more debatable. Of course, it's all debatable and perspective, how do you see it?
I honestly see no real repercussions for either of them. Joshua can come back from a defeat no problems, he is British so wont be dropped by the fans and he will of lost to a hall of famer. Wlad will be back on top of the division and at the age of 40 i cant think of another Boxer who beats him right now so he will stick around and look to get the belts of Parker and Wilder. And no i havnt forgotten about Fury but he isnt around right now, he may of been doing a little pad work on youtube but i do pad work and im not even a Boxer. If Joshua wins it elevates him even higher, a nailed on global brand and he is without a doubt number 1 in this division. Having his hands on 2 of the belts and making mega money on home soil he wont need to work hard to crack the world the world will know exactly who he is. Wlads last act as a professional Boxer will be accept defeat with great dignaty and retire from the sport a hall of famer and go in to politics or what ever it is he chooses to do.
