It’ll be interesting to see how Joshua does in this fight. Without being complacent and ignoring the risk of losing! First of all there’s the obvious comparison with how Parker coped with Takam Secondly Joshua has to nullify Takams threat and get control of the fight Third, is what Joshua will learn during the fight Lastly, will we see him adopt a Lennox/Tua style approach or will AJ take the opportunity to improve his inside skills.
One thing which is clear watching any interview and fight with AJ, he isn't here to mess around. He will not underestimate Takam, he's clearly too driven and too smart for that - he's not going to play around to try and "make a fight", he's not going to give free shots, and he's not going to let him off if there is an opening for a KO. This is part of why I give Takam a low chance of winning the fight, but when you have someone as tough and aggressive like that against someone how has been wobbled by a lesser fighter (Whyte) - albeit earlier in his career, there is always that chance somewhere despite how remote. Another thing, I never counted AJ beating Klitschko as a sign of how AJ compares to earlier Klitschko opponents - I expected AJ to win, and part of that relied on the fact that Klitschko is not the Wlad of old... that showed in the fight, again as expected. AJ is clearly the strongest HW in the game right now, imho, but the gulf may be smaller than people are giving it credit for. I think the biggest thing that will make Takam less dangerous to AJ than a lot of other heavyweights is the size and reach - people say Parker is too small, which I think is less of a thing but is a factor against him.... but the height difference between Parker and Takam is the same as the difference between Parker and Joshua. When you double a height difference like that up THEN it starts changing the dynamic. Povetkin was barely taller than Takam, and that was a great dust up - but a bit height and range advantage and how Takam deals with that is a big unknown. On the topic of the Parker comparison, Parker was not on his best form that night and only just did enough to win that - I suspect the Parker who fought Hughie Fury would STILL have had a hard fight of it, but it would be been a clearer victory. And that was against a Takam who had >12 weeks to prepare, not 1.
Of course he can. But he won't... If Takam seems to be taking the shots real well and we start getting into the 8th, that would obviously be great for Takam's chances. Even then, I don't see him putting Joshua down and away. Takam won't be able to win 7 rounds.
Supposedly. And he was prepping for another opponent to be on the undercard and to be the replacement should one be needed, not literally preparing to face Joshua for 8 weeks. Takam is a short notice opponent. Even if he was in a great camp that was motivated before the call. This is HW boxing in 2017. I doubt that was the case anyways.
I'm just watching the Takam Parker fight again now....and I definitely see him as a very live threat to AJ. I expect AJ to wn, but I will sure be nervous for AJ - Takam is durable and dangerous. Reading through this thread I'm surprised to read a few say Takam has no power....what? 27 KO's out of his 35 wins ? That isn't no pillow puncher...this probably will go a good few rounds and Joshua could get hurt if any of Takams swarming attacks get through and he gets a nice big right hand on Joshua. I'll stick with AJ mid - late, but this is probably a more dangerous fight than Pulev.
No. 6'1" He won't land a punch AJ will hurt him through his guard He will back onto the ropes AJ will destroy him. AJ in under 4.
Just imagine WK had finished off Joshua after flooring him and this was a comeback fight for Joshua? Would we still say no chance? I doubt Takam has the explosiveness or power but his opponent is not superman.
We all know how hard and quick AJ punches.....but we've only seen it against guys who are backing up. Takam's pressure will be his undoing very very early imo. The best way to beat AJ will be a performance similar to Tyson Fury's against Wlad. Takam is too small to produce anything like that.