How Far Are You On The AJ Train?

[Tarkus]

Balls deep was a classic option but I have the odd reservation. I'm quietly optimistic though. He seems a sensible enough guy and has a good team so fingers crossed. Would like to see the Wach fight.

Yep, its difficult no to be excited but at the same time can't forget that he is still largely untested.

[mickey1975]

I completely agree about his trainer. I just don't see Sims as being the trainer of a world heavyweight champ. I think the narrative is inevitable that his defensive deficiencies will be exposed when he meets someone even reasonably ring-savvy and then the talk will be of how he needed a name trainer all along. As it will be with Tyson Fury.

Rob McCracken will be training Joshua as soon as Froch retires. I think Team GB only allow him to coach one pro

Not allowed in an amateur corner if you work with pros now.

[Marlo Stanfield]

I completely agree about his trainer. I just don't see Sims as being the trainer of a world heavyweight champ. I think the narrative is inevitable that his defensive deficiencies will be exposed when he meets someone even reasonably ring-savvy and then the talk will be of how he needed a name trainer all along. As it will be with Tyson Fury.

Rob McCracken will be training Joshua as soon as Froch retires. I think Team GB only allow him to coach one pro

Not allowed in an amateur corner if you work with pros now.

What's happening with him & Froch then? Or is he not allowed in GB corners anymore?

[Tuan_Jim]

I'm so deep my helmet is splashing around in his stomach acid - although that's more a comment on the division than it is Joshua.

Any era prior to 2003 and I wouldn't even have bothered to lube up yet.

[forcefraser]

Handlebars on the wall for extra purchase. I'm rooting with gay abandon.

[Emmseegee]

Theres a lot I like about Joshua but the Sky and Matchroom hype makes me struggle to be a fan.

[london]

Dillian Whyte will derail the AJ hype train.

[tobyh5]

I cannot understand how people can be aboard without reservation with a guy with limited amateur experience, despite the gold medal, and who has not had any challenges in the pro game yet to show what he is really made of.

Feck me I would like the next sensation if I went down the local primary school and took out each 10 year old one at a time, with killer hooks, bolo punches, dancing, moving, slipping, taking shots for fun, laughing and snarling.

I think a massive chance he goes all the way but any single ounce of commonsense says there has to be reservation when you have not seen certain things that would remove that reservation.

For me, I am not even hard yet let alone getting out the KY

[danamba7]

How did this thread go from being on a train to sexual activities with AJ!?!?

[keithmoonhangover]

How did this thread go from being on a train to sexual activities with AJ!?!?

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[reggaereggae]

I cannot understand how people can be aboard without reservation with a guy with limited amateur experience, despite the gold medal, and who has not had any challenges in the pro game yet to show what he is really made of.

Feck me I would like the next sensation if I went down the local primary school and took out each 10 year old one at a time, with killer hooks, bolo punches, dancing, moving, slipping, taking shots for fun, laughing and snarling.

I think a massive chance he goes all the way but any single ounce of commonsense says there has to be reservation when you have not seen certain things that would remove that reservation.

For me, I am not even hard yet let alone getting out the KY

I would imagine the faith in Joshua is founded by the manner he has dispatched everyone (even if there were no big names) - he hasn't put a foot wrong. There are no evident weaknesses YET.
The other factor is that the heavyweight division is rather poor so the competiton for success will be weak.
I'm not quite ready to perform a rusty trombone but I'm close....

[jamesmcdonnell]

I cannot understand how people can be aboard without reservation with a guy with limited amateur experience, despite the gold medal, and who has not had any challenges in the pro game yet to show what he is really made of.

Feck me I would like the next sensation if I went down the local primary school and took out each 10 year old one at a time, with killer hooks, bolo punches, dancing, moving, slipping, taking shots for fun, laughing and snarling.

I think a massive chance he goes all the way but any single ounce of commonsense says there has to be reservation when you have not seen certain things that would remove that reservation.

For me, I am not even hard yet let alone getting out the KY

I would imagine the faith in Joshua is founded by the manner he has dispatched everyone (even if there were no big names) - he hasn't put a foot wrong. There are no evident weaknesses YET.
The other factor is that the heavyweight division is rather poor so the competiton for success will be weak.
I'm not quite ready to perform a rusty trombone but I'm close....

Yes, there is the fact that Wlad aside, there's very little to beat right now. Once Wlad retires, could be a very barren landscape indeed.

[keithmoonhangover]

I cannot understand how people can be aboard without reservation with a guy with limited amateur experience, despite the gold medal, and who has not had any challenges in the pro game yet to show what he is really made of.

Feck me I would like the next sensation if I went down the local primary school and took out each 10 year old one at a time, with killer hooks, bolo punches, dancing, moving, slipping, taking shots for fun, laughing and snarling.

I think a massive chance he goes all the way but any single ounce of commonsense says there has to be reservation when you have not seen certain things that would remove that reservation.

For me, I am not even hard yet let alone getting out the KY

I would imagine the faith in Joshua is founded by the manner he has dispatched everyone (even if there were no big names) - he hasn't put a foot wrong. There are no evident weaknesses YET.
The other factor is that the heavyweight division is rather poor so the competiton for success will be weak.
I'm not quite ready to perform a rusty trombone but I'm close....

Yes, there is the fact that Wlad aside, there's very little to beat right now. Once Wlad retires, could be a very barren landscape indeed.

Povetkin?

In fairness, before the Tyson - Douglas fight, there wasn't much competition. Tyson and Holyfield, an unproven comebacking Foreman, Lewis and Bowe nowhere near ready. Carl Williams? Bruno?

[brilo33]

i would like to see them put him in with Lucas Browne

[bogan whisperer]

Nothing to dislike about AJ and his prospects thus far.

[Rob3_142]

There's a lot to like about AJ from what we've seen so far. Since his amateur days he moves much better, he punches much harder, and he has as it seems a bit more ring craft.

It also seems that he's being managed sensibly. He knocked out a guy in the second who has gone the distance with a number of guys near the top of the rankings which is a sign of his intent. Hearn won't put him in fights that he can't blow away at this point as he learns his trade.

Wilder had a similar upbringing as he knocked out everyone inside 3-4 rounds in the first 32 fights. Hearn might move AJ on a bit quicker than that as the manner of his victories. I guess a lot will come out of what happens post September. It'll also be interesting to see what happens with Wlad/Fury in coming months, and if Wilder sets himself up another fight after the poor showing against Molina.

[danamba7]

i would like to see them put him in with Lucas Browne

I think he'd stop Browne reasonably early. Browne would have a genuine punchers chance but seems far too slow and doesn't box his way to create openings. Joshua could well steam through him.

[IRLangmaid25]

I am somewhere between balls deep and reservation. The raw ingredients are there it's just bringing him along at the right place and preferably the traditional manner. Wouldn't mind seeing him going for the British title now that Tyson Fury had vacated it.

[keithmoonhangover]

Any changes since last night. He's gone up in my estimation.

[reggaereggae]

Any changes since last night. He's gone up in my estimation.

No. Last nights performance lessened the likelihood of me giving him a rusty trombone.....

[keithmoonhangover]

the likelihood of me giving him a rusty trombone.....

Me or AJ.

[Tarkus]

Any changes since last night. He's gone up in my estimation.

For me too. His first real test against a real live opponent. He showed good chin, heart and focus. Great jab and one-two. Concussive hooks. he has few problems with stiffness and luck of head movement, but he compensates it with his hand speed, power and accuracy.

Nearly balls deep now and I am loving it.

[tobyh5]

I cannot understand how people can be aboard without reservation with a guy with limited amateur experience, despite the gold medal, and who has not had any challenges in the pro game yet to show what he is really made of.

Feck me I would like the next sensation if I went down the local primary school and took out each 10 year old one at a time, with killer hooks, bolo punches, dancing, moving, slipping, taking shots for fun, laughing and snarling.

I think a massive chance he goes all the way but any single ounce of commonsense says there has to be reservation when you have not seen certain things that would remove that reservation.

For me, I am not even hard yet let alone getting out the KY

I wrote that in June on this thread. I have the same stance today as I did then. And with more reservations due to how he stiffened up. Another fighter with real world class ability could easily have taken him out in the second round or certainly have taken advantage to then work smarter and tire him out for a late rounds win. Lack of depth in the division may allow him to go further than he would in most other eras though

[banjo]

Not sure, looks a bit too ripped, need to carrying a bit more fat for energy reserves. He looked knackered last night.

[reggaereggae]

the likelihood of me giving him a rusty trombone.....

Me or AJ.

Hmmmm, neither ultimately...... I just want to get AJ's dealer's digits as he is serving up some strong stuff