Hearn didn't choose him, he's the IBF mandatory as he was next in line after Pulev pulled out. Hearn simply followed IBF rules. Sure Takam never beat Parker and Povetkin in his previous title shots but he was competitive. Ray Mercer in the 90's did the same, fell short every time he got a shot but proved he belonged along side champions by being competitive each time. Just because a fighter can't win a belt doesn't mean he's garbage or a journeymen. Takam won't beat Joshua and after this loss tonight it doesn't make him garbage either, he's good, just not good enough. What's with the idea that just because you can't win a title your a bum. What are there just 2 type of fighter, champions and journeymen? Can't there be guys in the middle who are good but just fall a little short? Sad that some people need to demean the efforts of hard working professional fighters to fit their personal agenda.
If he was anything special he would have been snapped up & signed a while back. No one saying he is not a nice hard working guy, but he is not a talent, hence Hearn not wriggling out of an easy night for Joshua.
Yeah because Hearn is very cautious with his fighter isn't he like how he threw Joshua in with Wlad or when he threw Brook in with GGG then Spence. Hearn isn't afraid of risking his fighters taking a loss if it makes a good fight that makes good money for him and his fighter. Nobody is saying Takam is a future champion or ATG but some people on here are treating him like he's unproven on world level where he usually gives fighters problems, or that he's on the level of your average Wilder opponent. He's Parkers best win to date, would be Wilder's best win or at least as good as Stiverne and is a solid opponent. Nobody expects him to win or saying he's a the fighter people want Joshua to see fight next the most but he's a solid opponent.
No one thinks Takam is a star. He's just a solid, no nonsense pressure fighter with a bit of craft and a lot of grit. And he's a hell of a lot better than anyone Wilder's ever been in with.
As I expected Takam wasn't good enough to beat or even hurt Joshua, but he did give Joshua rounds, which Joshua needs a lot more of. Takam earned every bit of his £750,000 purse.
Grossly underestimated him tough tough competitor. super composed. knows how to position himself The thing is when you have a man big as AJ it's hard to know how someone will take his shots..Takam took them well as anyone could. Dissapointed in the negativity about the cut from him and his corner. It was a bad one but i've seen much much worse to fight through. Could smell a lame stoppage right there and then from these British officials...surprised that lame ref didn't wave his it off there and then when Takam said he couldn't see out of his eye. Takam is a real good operator he just lacks that something special to take him to the next step. He compromises on power with a good gas tank but his workrate against someone decent like Parker just isn't enough to snatch rounds...He's done well for himself fair play, 2 weeks notice couldn't ask for more. Who would Wilder find on 2 weeks notice?
I had him giving a better account of himself than many expected but even I underestimated Takam. I expected him to be stopped around rounds 6-9, but without the terrible stoppage I think he would of gone the distance or at least very late, even with the cuts. Also puts the Parker fight into perspective. Not looking so bad now is it?