So we know the story on AJ if he loses...

If AJ wins he will have an ATG on his resume. But let's not kid ourselves, Wlad is WAY past it. It would be a much more impressive feat if Wlad wins this - AJ is pretty much expected to dominate this fight.

 

It always will be like Holmes beating a 38 year old Ali, by never deserving full credit for it just because it's clear to everyone they're well past their best.
Not saying that Wlad is so far gone as Ali was at that point, but you get the picture.
Winning for Joshua will end the previous era and start a new one with him taking over the crown from a top 10 (top15 at the very least) all time HW.

It's from that point on that Joshua should pave his own path on that momentum, like Holmes did. It's not like he doesn't have the hype on his pants already.

 

Mike Tyson is picking Vlad, he likes Vlad. Tyson said that Vlad was not an old 41, he has not been sitting on the coach drinking beer, he has stayed in shape...............Tyson likes Vlad's boxing skills and experience. Tyson Fury is betting money on Klitschko to knock Joshua out.................he knows the odds, is serious about betting..........

A loss will not hurt Joshua's career, not one big. Joshua has a rematch clause, so he does not care that much..........

 

I usually dislike those "passing of the torch fights" but il always love erik morales stopping zaragosa

 

I think this too

 

If AJ wins = Wlad is shot
If Wlad wins = AJ is a hypejob

Pretty much sums up the mentality of people on here.

 

Guys you are talking bullshits... so what if Joshua loses to Klitschko?! It's like a 20 years old Klitschko to lose vs Tyson lol... So what? Klitschko dominated this division for a decade ... there is no shame in that - to lose vs one of the best in the division.

 

Ideal scenario will be a close competitive fight with a clear winner. If either fighter gets blown away or made to look poor it'll allow the naysayers to fuel the fires of their criticism. But they'll do that anyway, so I'm not sure it even matters.

 

Even if he goes in there and blast Wlad out like Sanders did, you have to realise Wlad is well past his best and one good win against a faded former champion doesn't elevate Joshua to the top.

It would be Joshua's best win though and I still regard Wlad as a top heavyweight so it would take Joshua out of that unproven hype job category to a legitimate top heavyweight of this era along with Fury, Wilder, Parker etc.

 

Good post, you are one of the most objective Joshua fans on the forum. In fact, I think you are too modest. If AJ wins clearly he becomes the man to beat in the HW division ahead of Fury, Wilder, Parker etc.

I think Joshua will win and I also think he will be the next major HW. But I'm not so sure he becomes the next great heavyweight if he loses by KO. I get the feeling that confidence is very important for AJ, and sometimes that can make it hard to rebound from a bad/brutal loss.

 

True. It does work both ways though, if Wlad wins people will not give Wlad credit because Joshua's best win is ... Dillian Whyte? Wlad would need to hope Joshua rebounds and goes on to become a great HW regardless.

If Joshua wins, IMHO there is less reason to discredit the win. Sure, Wlad is past prime, but it is without question a better win than anything Wilder or Parker have at the moment.

But I do agree with you, both are legit HWs and the winner (and possibly the loser as well if it's close) should be getting credit.

 

So if we see AJ win in better fashion against a potentially superior version of Wlad (one that might even throw a punch), that ranks below Furys win? How?

Furys win against Wlad was fantastic, but if Joshua dominates Wlad before knocking him out, that surely surpasses his performance.

 

Win or lose I think Wlad should retire. If AJ lose he still has a very big further
Call Wlad old or shot but that is what they also said about big George and his old AZE got the belt back so no excuses
Wlad might be old but one of the smartest players in the ring.

I just want this to end by a clear KO

 

No his stock won't actually drop it will be chalked down to inexperience & losing to an ATG HW who may have had more in the tank still.. Still favoring Joshua.