What is the Americans opinion of Anthony Joshua?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Not an American, but perhaps close enough.

My opinion is that he's the best prospect in the division. I don't read that much into his last win given that Sprott has three first round stoppage losses since August 2013, but Joshua has consistently impressed over his last several fights and despite his relative inexperience he's beaten certain opponents far more convincingly than recentish title challengers like Solis and Charr have. He's a legitimate SHW, seems to use his size well, has good power, decent speed, and he's shown good variety to me, being able to fight well inside and out. Another quality that I have a particular fondness for his activity in clinches, as he doesn't consistently let opponents get an unpunished breather when they're tied up as so many others do.

He still seems a bit stiff to me and sometimes he lifts his head straight up when attacked, which is perhaps a sign that he can get a bit uncomfortable when people are throwing back at him. His chin and stamina are also fairly untested as a pro, and given his muscular frame and instances of being dropped/hurt in the amateurs I'm not ready to say that he won't have issues in those departments. Obviously if he keeps blowing people away these factors won't be huge issues, but I suspect he'll eventually face people who clock him with some power or extend him several rounds, or both. If his chin and stamina are solid I think his chances of becoming an elite HW, possibly THE man in the division are good.

That is my biggest concern, that huge hulking frame, if he gets into a proper fight, I think his stamina is going to be an issue - the division is very weak right now, so it's not likely to be an issue for quite some time.

[SenorPipino]

If you asked 500 random Americans who Joshua is, I would be surprised if 1 had ever heard of him.

But so what? Few American pay any attention to boxing. Maybe only a quarter of those same 500 would recognize the name Floyd Mayweather.

But is this a slam at American ignorance for not recognizing a Brit?
How many Brits know who Wilder is. Maybe less than 10 out of 500, and only because he's fought there. Not a big deal.

Brits are similarly more familiar with British athletes than they are American. The same goes for Italians, German, Mexicans, et al.
It's not a crime to be unfamiliar with an unheralded athlete from a foreign country who has yet to accomplish anything grandiose in the sporting world, save for his Olympic victory.
And for your info, Olympic boxing is ignored by the American network, relegated to some lame, non-descript cable channel.

I've yet to see Joshua's name or any information on his fights in the American media, print or television. He's completely off the radar.
He'll need to do more than routinely demolish the likes of 100-1 underdog Sprott to garner any mention here in the U.S.

But don't feel miffed, Brits. I've yet to see Wilder mentioned on ESPN, and he's America's top heavyweight hope.
Save for showcasing 2 superstars, (Pac and Mayweather) the days of boxing receiving much press here ended with the Tyson era.

[ikorolev]

Out of those 500 Americans, 100 (if not more) wouldn't probably be able to show Britain on the map

[CTaylor1999]

This question and post was posted on a boxing forum, if people in America don't have any idea who Anthony Joshua is then there is summat wrong!

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

It just seems to me that even boxing fans in the US are un-aware of who he is which I find baffling or is it the case that they have a lack of respect for any future heavyweight unless he comes from America.

I would of thought people on here would be giving opinions of what they think of him, not people going on about whether they actually know who he is.

[JCS]

Out of those 500 Americans, 100 (if not more) wouldn't probably be able to show Britain on the map

I'd say more.

Anyway I'm a pretty big boxing fan (obviously) and I haven't heard a peep about him outside of this forum, or maybe on fightnews.com

[crusader]

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

.

UFC isn't a sport.

If people were fans of Joshua's promotional team and followed their activities I'm sure they'd know of him. I also believe that business-wise the top boxing talent is less concentrated than the top MMA talent is, so I can understand why a smaller proportion of boxing fans would be knowledgeable of the sport's rising fighters. Does anyone know how many professional MMA fighters and cards there are? Perhaps it's also easier to follow MMA because there is less to follow.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

.

UFC isn't a sport.

If people were fans of Joshua's promotional team and followed their activities I'm sure they'd know of him. I also believe that business-wise the top boxing talent is less concentrated than the top MMA talent is, so I can understand why a smaller proportion of boxing fans would be knowledgeable of the sport's rising fighters.

Er......yes it is a sport. Or an organisation which forms a very large part of a sport. How on earth could you rationally argue otherwise.

[crusader]

Is NBA a sport? Is NHL a sport? Is Golden Boy a sport? Are the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO different sports? Was Pride a sport?

I never argued that it wasn't an important organization within a sport. However, if you follow an organization you are going to be exposed to that organization's events, talent, advertising, and general affairs in a way that you may not if you simply follow the sport, especially one as fractured as boxing in which there isn't one promoter or organization in which the large majority of elite talent is contracted to.

[Badhusker]

Joshua reminds me a little of Ken Norton, and think he will lose just like Norton did to Foreman if he fights Wilder.

[reggaereggae]

Who cares if yanks don't know him.... USA is no longer top destination for boxing. Boxing has become more niche as US domination has shrunk and boxing is a lot more global. To my understanding the biggest market in Us boxing is Hispanic.

After Floyd retires, there are few top U.S. fighters.

But yes, I would still be interested in what non UK boxing fans thought of Josh. The main thing he has going is that there seem to be no decent prospects around.

Anyway, if Josh has a couple of big fights in Vegas, the yanks will learn to know him.

[Evander]

Joshua is ahead of time.
He's knocking them senseless so far.

[dominik]

he will be a champion because he has a great package. solid skills, tall, ok speed, good power

I don't really think he is an elite puncher because it usually takes several flush shots and combinations to put the opponents on the ground but I still think he is a good enough puncher to make good fighters respect him.

[cold187]

right now johusua is probably top 10, but not top 5

[CTaylor1999]

Is NBA a sport? Is NHL a sport? Is Golden Boy a sport? Are the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO different sports? Was Pride a sport?

I never argued that it wasn't an important organization within a sport. However, if you follow an organization you are going to be exposed to that organization's events, talent, advertising, and general affairs in a way that you may not if you simply follow the sport, especially one as fractured as boxing in which there isn't one promoter or organization in which the large majority of elite talent is contracted to.

I never said UFC was a sport I was just making people aware of what I meant, by quoting an organisation along with a sport!

Your arguing with yourself trying to perfect people and picking holes in what people say trying to act smart! Basically I don't care!

And back onto Joshua I genuinely believe he is top 10 standard now, there is no way you could count more than 10 who would beat him at this moment!

[danamba7]

Who?

Lmao, jk

American boxing fans, take prospects, especially heavyweights, with a grain of salt. Far as we all can see, this man has beaten essentially unknowns, old men, and just standard run of the mill English/European fighters.

He may be highly touted in Britain, but then again England's heavyweight scene is rather scarce outside of the Fury's and Haye. It's no disrespect, but at the end of the day how can we take the man seriously until he defeats someone of purpose. This man, far as I understand or know, is not even European class yet--- but Empire status. Too early to tell.

Haye (if he comes back), Fury, Hughie, Chisora, Price, Joshua. Not saying it's anything particularly special but I wouldn't say its scarce compared to most other nations these days. He needs to start mixing it with these. I think he beats all but Haye.

[crusader]

Is NBA a sport? Is NHL a sport? Is Golden Boy a sport? Are the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO different sports? Was Pride a sport?

I never argued that it wasn't an important organization within a sport. However, if you follow an organization you are going to be exposed to that organization's events, talent, advertising, and general affairs in a way that you may not if you simply follow the sport, especially one as fractured as boxing in which there isn't one promoter or organization in which the large majority of elite talent is contracted to.

I never said UFC was a sport I was just making people aware of what I meant, by quoting an organisation along with a sport!

Your arguing with yourself trying to perfect people and picking holes in what people say trying to act smart! Basically I don't care!

And back onto Joshua I genuinely believe he is top 10 standard now, there is no way you could count more than 10 who would beat him at this moment!

Actually you did say that UFC is a sport:

but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC

I was just pointing out that following an organization has potentially different effects than following a sport more generally, and that along with other factors may help explain why people who follow the UFC are more aware of it's rising talent than boxing fans are of comparable boxing talent. If I follow the UFC there's likely a greater chance that I'll be watching cards in which the upcoming talent is shown (e.g. fighting, or getting interviewed about an upcoming fight) than there is of this in boxing; I could watch loads of Golden Boy, Top Rank, and GYM cards yet never hear a word about Anthony Joshua because he's not promoted by them and they don't have boxers in line to fight him. Yet if I followed the companies that promotes him, I'd hear about him all the time.

[ponch]

This question and post was posted on a boxing forum, if people in America don't have any idea who Anthony Joshua is then there is summat wrong!

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

It just seems to me that even boxing fans in the US are un-aware of who he is which I find baffling or is it the case that they have a lack of respect for any future heavyweight unless he comes from America.

I would of thought people on here would be giving opinions of what they think of him, not people going on about whether they actually know who he is.

I have lived in the UK for 13 years, I've followed boxing more than any other sport for about 16 years, and I barely know who Anthony Joshua is.

I streamed the Sprott fight and it's the first time I've seen him fight.

He's a young prospect padding his resume and getting some pro experience (as most fighters do early on) in a division that many fans actively ignore. I suspect a lot of very dedicated boxing fans won't see him fight for a long time and as long as they're lining up cans for him to practice bag work on, there's no urgency in tuning in.

[Tony1244]

I have lived in the UK for 13 years, I've followed boxing more than any other sport for about 16 years, and I barely know who Anthony Joshua is.

I streamed the Sprott fight and it's the first time I've seen him fight.

He's a young prospect padding his resume and getting some pro experience (as most fighters do early on) in a division that many fans actively ignore. I suspect a lot of very dedicated boxing fans won't see him fight for a long time and as long as they're lining up cans for him to practice bag work on, there's no urgency in tuning in.[/quote]>>>Ponch


I'm sorry, but if you live in the UK and follow boxing more than the other sports and barely know who an undefeated Olympic Gold Medal Winner is, you aren't really a boxing or sports fan. You may be brilliant in other areas.

[ponch]

I'm sorry, but if you live in the UK and follow boxing more than the other sports and barely know who an undefeated Olympic Gold Medal Winner is, you aren't really a boxing or sports fan. You may be brilliant in other areas.

Good one

[CTaylor1999]

This question and post was posted on a boxing forum, if people in America don't have any idea who Anthony Joshua is then there is summat wrong!

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

It just seems to me that even boxing fans in the US are un-aware of who he is which I find baffling or is it the case that they have a lack of respect for any future heavyweight unless he comes from America.

I would of thought people on here would be giving opinions of what they think of him, not people going on about whether they actually know who he is.

I have lived in the UK for 13 years, I've followed boxing more than any other sport for about 16 years, and I barely know who Anthony Joshua is.

I streamed the Sprott fight and it's the first time I've seen him fight.

He's a young prospect padding his resume and getting some pro experience (as most fighters do early on) in a division that many fans actively ignore. I suspect a lot of very dedicated boxing fans won't see him fight for a long time and as long as they're lining up cans for him to practice bag work on, there's no urgency in tuning in.

I'd dread to know what your knowledge is like of other sports then!

I'd say non existent considering Boxing is your number 1 and you don't know who Joshua is!

[ikorolev]

By the way, Joshua will be facing Kevin Johnson on Jan 31.

[cold187]

Joshua needs to be fighting "weaker ranked guys" or guys in top 50 with good records

people like

Travis Kaufmann
Mark De mori
Arnold Gjerjaj
Eric Molina
edmund Gerber
Matias Vidondo
Johann Duhaupas
Marcin Rekoski

if not, then british guys like lewison, cornish etc

[ponch]

This question and post was posted on a boxing forum, if people in America don't have any idea who Anthony Joshua is then there is summat wrong!

I understand any Tom Dick and Harry on the streets of America have no idea who he is but if you love the sport of Boxing you should know who Anthony Joshua is.

It's like the world of UFC/MMA in UK is nowhere near as big as it is in the US but for people over here who follow the sport of UFC they would know who the rising stars are.

It just seems to me that even boxing fans in the US are un-aware of who he is which I find baffling or is it the case that they have a lack of respect for any future heavyweight unless he comes from America.

I would of thought people on here would be giving opinions of what they think of him, not people going on about whether they actually know who he is.

I have lived in the UK for 13 years, I've followed boxing more than any other sport for about 16 years, and I barely know who Anthony Joshua is.

I streamed the Sprott fight and it's the first time I've seen him fight.

He's a young prospect padding his resume and getting some pro experience (as most fighters do early on) in a division that many fans actively ignore. I suspect a lot of very dedicated boxing fans won't see him fight for a long time and as long as they're lining up cans for him to practice bag work on, there's no urgency in tuning in.

I'd dread to know what your knowledge is like of other sports then!

I'd say non existent considering Boxing is your number 1 and you don't know who Joshua is!

I hope now that I've seen him fight a no-hoper for 90 seconds, that's boosted my boxing fan credentials with you.

I clearly know who Joshua is, as I've said. But if Joshua's being featured heavily on Sky then a lot of my friends will know more about him than I do. They aren't boxing fans and don't claim to be, they don't have a clue who Roman Gonzalez, Nicholas Walters or Terence Crawford are and have never woken up at 4.30AM to watch a fight card (except perhaps Hatton-Floyd).

Being privy to 10-0 Joshua (who hasn't even hit contender status yet) or any other individual fighter is hardly a measure of boxing fandom.

[Perseus]

I've known about Joshua since the Olympics but since I haven't actually seen him fight I have no opinion about his potential or skills.
His fights have not been on American networks, I see his list of opponents so far and have decided I won't learn anything about him by finding those fights on the internet(I'm sure they would be easy to find).
Everybody looks like the next big thing when they are crushing tomato-cans/washed out journeyman.

Johnson represents a step up but also is nearly unwatchable.
He will give Joshua rounds and he can expose pretenders but he just will not try to win a tough fight.
If Johnson can't dominate he won't try to win.
If Joshua is the real deal he should discourage Johnson inside of 2 or 3 rounds and cruise to a lop-sided decision.

[jamesohara95]

Just on Joshua, can anyone answer my question of why the Joshua vs sprott fight was a defence of Joshua's WBC International title up until 4 days before the bout, and weather the Johnson fight is likely to be a defence of this belt?

Thank you