The Last Stand Of Dr. Steelhammer: Will AJ's Great Leap Forward Be A Bridge Too Far?

Ha! If I didn't know you were so stupid and blinded by hatred that you actually believed that, I'd call that a troll comment. It's not about number of fights nearly as much as it is quality and number of the best fighters you face

 

Agree!

 

No hater here. If you jock ride Vitali it means you're hating on Lewis. I could play that card , but im not you. Im a real poster.

 

Its obvious a prime wlad beats Joshua, he's seen this style before. But this just isn't a prime wlad, not his fault he's just old and we haven't seen athleticism like Joshua in a long time.

I have a feeling Joshua will rock wlad early on and carry him a few rounds to let him retire with his dignity, these guys are pretty much friends.

 

They do respect each other but that fist bumping on The Gloves are off" was a little over the top for me.
Either way the winner wins with dignity as will the loser....I hope

 

A real bad poster. I love that you claim that you aren't hating when you make irrational claims that only a hater would post. I hate the hypocrisy, at least own your hatefulness.

 

There's too many questions marks over both for varying reasons to pick either guy with any real confidence imo.
Can't wait.
Hoping Wlad can do it

 

Vitali imo got better after that fight. Physically stronger more sturdy from what I could see. He fought the best that was on offer klit, just none as good as Lewis obviously

 

Your caveat is exactly why I'm picking AJ, I don't expect a vintage Wlad from 2012 to suddenly show up. He's gonna have problems with AJ's jab and hasn't faced an opponent with this much power since the Pov fight (and that was a disragceful clinchfest).

 

Whyte was talking **** and got in Joshua's head. He's even talking right now how he wants a rematch. I think this gets overlooked coupled with the fact he had a good chin. If there was a rematch, I think it would be like Lewis/Rahman 2 or Froch/Bus wanker 2 and understand the Whyte fight is totally being overblown. I like this piece written by CST but I wish he was this objective to the gentleman he clearly roots for.

 

With the recent videos coming out of AJs camp showing him hitting pads, it's got the AJ fans bits fizzing. I liken it to a story I once heard when I was getting taught by a pro golfer when I was young....

A golfer is practicing on a driving range. He smashes out constant big drives impressing the crowd. Some say " That's the man that will win the open, look at his power".

The man who actually won the open was the bloke that could also chip, putt and handle pressure.

 

There's too many negative factors against wlad for me to pick him in this fight : 14 year age gap, 18 months inactivity, 41 yrs old, has looked severally past prime/shot in last 2 fights

 

If we see the Wlad, from the Wlad vs Pulev fight, AJ is toast. Sorry, I like Joshua a lot, but he'd lose badly and might even get KOed. Wlad from the Jennings fight is a different story. It is really down to which Wlad will come to the ring (no disrespect to AJ, I actually like him a lot).

 

I want to believe Wlad can do it but deem it unlikely. @CST80, you failed miserably in your effort to give Joshua a fair shake despite your admitted bias against, but I appreciate your detailed prediction regardless.

The main point I disagree on is that you claim AJ has made little or no progress since his amateur days, even I can notice improvements in his game such as his use of the jab (although its still not stellar) and better co-ordinated footwork to maintain ideal distance. Joshua himself has been very critical of his own performance against Whyte (who I rate a little higher than most) and I believe he learned from some mistakes he made in that fight.

Other than concerns about his stamina and chin, my main worry for Joshua is his lack of composure when he lands something (a bit like Wilder but far more cleaner and balanced). He can be over-enthusiastic in these moments and even though it hasn't hurt him so far, a boxer of Klitschko's intelligence could take advantage of this.

Leaning towards Joshua but the odds on Wlad are tempting. Un-decided for the moment. Thread needs GALVATRON.