Wladimir Klitschko vs. Anthony Joshua

[Grailer]

Joshua is the most overated boxer in the HW division lol

Ranked 3rd on Box rec but he has only beaten fighters who havent beaten anyone .

Until Joshua beats a proven top 10 fighter he isn't even in the top 5 imo

[Cutman Scabbers]

Leapai was so bad, that even 70 y.o. Wlad would look great against him. Against Povetkin Wlad didn't look good too, because while he dominated for 12 rounds, he was constantly missing with a right hand. So, for the last 3 years the only opponent whom Wlad could hit well with a right hand, was Alex Leapai. Against Povetkin his right hand timing looked off, against Pulev he landed only one right hand, and all knockdowns and KO came after his left hook. And he barely landed anything decent against Jennings and Fury. So, yes, Wlad is clearly past his prime.

Whenever I read things like this it makes me think about how all fields of performance can be broken down into so many levels.

Looks like Leapai, who beat the 33-0 Dennis Boytsov (does that mean he was even worse?) is making a comeback...

[Enlightened-One]

Leapai was so bad, that even 70 y.o. Wlad would look great against him. Against Povetkin Wlad didn't look good too, because while he dominated for 12 rounds, he was constantly missing with a right hand. So, for the last 3 years the only opponent whom Wlad could hit well with a right hand, was Alex Leapai. Against Povetkin his right hand timing looked off, against Pulev he landed only one right hand, and all knockdowns and KO came after his left hook. And he barely landed anything decent against Jennings and Fury. So, yes, Wlad is clearly past his prime.

Whenever I read things like this it makes me think about how all fields of performance can be broken down into so many levels.

Looks like Leapai, who beat the 33-0 Dennis Boytsov (does that mean he was even worse?) is making a comeback...

I never said the words in that quote. That post has nothing to do with me.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Whenever I read things like this it makes me think about how all fields of performance can be broken down into so many levels.

Looks like Leapai, who beat the 33-0 Dennis Boytsov (does that mean he was even worse?) is making a comeback...

I never said the words in that quote. That post has nothing to do with me.

Sorry, I misquoted it. Boxing Writer's words, right?

[actjac]

A good comparison. . . Louis vs Marciano.. . . However the reason Louis took the fight with Rocky was because he needed money. I am sure that's not the case with Wlad.

[Cutman Scabbers]

A good comparison. . . Louis vs Marciano.. . . However the reason Louis took the fight with Rocky was because he needed money. I am sure that's not the case with Wlad.

I don't think Wlad has slipped as much as Louis had, and AJ is no Rocky Marciano.

[BitPlayer]

neither is wlad ...

Wlad feet are 10 times better than AJ and he's harder to hit.

i never saw his footwork as a key
trade of wlad's. maybe there is more
to it that i am aware of. anyways, i
see why wlad's long reign makes him
appear like he could do something in
this fight.

but it definitely make for a very exciting
build up in any case ...

Maybe it isn't, but it's still far better than anything Joshua has displayed.

[BitPlayer]

Joshua is neither as tested or expienced as Rocky was then.

[Syntax Error]

I really can't say.

Joshua is largely untested & Wladimir is ordinarily several leagues ahead of him, but he's in his 41st year & has looked old in his last 2 fights.

We all know that Wladimir doesn't like being hit, although, to be fair to him, nobody outside of Jake LaMotta liked getting hit & Joshua will hit him hard.

He won't be able to man-handle Joshua & he's going to have to mix it up.

I'm tentatively going for Wladimir on points, as I think he might have one last hurrah in him, but it would not surprise me if Joshua smashed him & put paid to him as a force in the division.

[jbizzle20]

This outcome is not a given by any sense of the word. Joshua still looks stiff with his form. He doesn't always maximize his length. If he doesn't loosen up, Klitschko has a chance to be in control by using his length to keep Joshua away. Power is probably still there for Klitschko to put Joshua down, too. I think Tony Sims can't neglect this issue much longer. Lewis had similar problems early in his career and Steward got him to loosen up and put his jab out farther to take advantage of Lewis length. Joshua needs the same adjustment. If he does this, its over for Klitschko. If not, we might just see Joshua on his heels most of the night. Joshua has the skill and youth to overwhelm the old man but he can't take him lightly. It's gonna come down to ring generalship, period. All that said, however, I think it comes down to a decision and I'll bank on Joshua to make the adjustment.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Is this fight happening?

[crusader]

I actually think Wlad looked to be declining against Pulev too. Obviously he was doing damage, but he was very sloppy and getting hit much more than normal. In fact, the fight started with him immediately getting nailed by a flush jab, causing him to hold and spoil pretty much until he landed the first big left hook on Pulev.

[boxing_rocks]

Is this fight happening?

Dec 10th:

http://www.badlefthook.com/2016/10/15/1 ... for-dec-10

[Kalan]

Wlad hasn't looked great in his last couple of fights but AJ's best win is over Brezeale who should have lost to Fred Kassi.

AJ is too basic and one dimensional, Wlad will beat him quite easily.

That's complete nonsense... Of these 2, Wlad is the 1 dimensional fighter. He has No body attack and no inside game. He had no choice but to grab inside, even versus a much taller boxer in Tyson Fury. Let's face it, that wasn't a fight because Wlad could do nothing inside and he didn't have the range outside.

On the other hand Joshua has a terrific jab and possibly the best right hand counter ever... And when the action goes inside WK will try his best to grab and hold -- but AJ is too powerful and slick on the inside. He has some of the best short hooks and uppercuts in the business. He finished Dillian Whyte off with a savage uppercut that Whyte never saw coming. Wladimir never heard of an uppercut.

[asdfjkl]

Joshua is the most overated boxer in the HW division lol

Ranked 3rd on Box rec but he has only beaten fighters who havent beaten anyone .

Until Joshua beats a proven top 10 fighter he isn't even in the top 5 imo

I think you confuse Wilder and AJ, don't you?

[BitPlayer]

Wlad hasn't looked great in his last couple of fights but AJ's best win is over Brezeale who should have lost to Fred Kassi.

AJ is too basic and one dimensional, Wlad will beat him quite easily.

That's complete nonsense... Of these 2, Wlad is the 1 dimensional fighter. He has No body attack and no inside game. He had no choice but to grab inside, even versus a much taller boxer in Tyson Fury. Let's face it, that wasn't a fight because Wlad could do nothing inside and he didn't have the range outside.

On the other hand Joshua has a terrific jab and possibly the best right hand counter ever... And when the action goes inside WK will try his best to grab and hold -- but AJ is too powerful and slick on the inside. He has some of the best short hooks and uppercuts in the business. He finished Dillian Whyte off with a savage uppercut that Whyte never saw coming. Wladimir never heard of an uppercut.

It's much easier to look great when you're fighting weak opposition.

Lets see how slick he is when he's not fighting someone incased in quicksand that should've lost his last two fights against journeymen.
Lets see if his power is as devastating against someone that knows what to do when hit.
Lets see if he's as inpressive when he's fighting someone that's been in with the best, not just Minto or Zoltan Csala.

Joshua could win this, but this is by far the biggest step up in his career, and he's really not shown he has the tools for the job yet.

[tigermoth87]

Joshua is the most overated boxer in the HW division lol

Ranked 3rd on Box rec but he has only beaten fighters who havent beaten anyone .

Until Joshua beats a proven top 10 fighter he isn't even in the top 5 imo

I think you confuse Wilder and AJ, don't you?

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

[asdfjkl]

Joshua is the most overated boxer in the HW division lol

Ranked 3rd on Box rec but he has only beaten fighters who havent beaten anyone .

Until Joshua beats a proven top 10 fighter he isn't even in the top 5 imo

I think you confuse Wilder and AJ, don't you?

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

[tigermoth87]

I think you confuse Wilder and AJ, don't you?

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

I don't rate whyte at all. He's British level, maybe Euro at a stretch. He'd beat shot Arreola, Molina, Cornish, Martin and Shot Kingpin but can't see him beating Stiverne, Duhaupas or Szpilka. Him vs Brezeale would be a 50-50 fight which speaks volumes about AJ's calibre of opponents.

[asdfjkl]

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

I don't rate whyte at all. He's British level, maybe Euro at a stretch. He'd beat shot Arreola, Molina, Cornish, Martin and Shot Kingpin but can't see him beating Stiverne, Duhaupas or Szpilka. Him vs Brezeale would be a 50-50 fight which speaks volumes about AJ's calibre of opponents.

What on earth makes you people believe Stiverne still even deserves a spot in the top 30? Duhaupas improved after the Wilder fight, because that was the moment he realised there's money in the boxing world. Szpilka became a lot stronger after the Wilder fight as well, but still doesn't seem impressive to me and his stamina isn't that good in the later rounds.

[Killer Blow]

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

I don't rate whyte at all. He's British level, maybe Euro at a stretch. He'd beat shot Arreola, Molina, Cornish, Martin and Shot Kingpin but can't see him beating Stiverne, Duhaupas or Szpilka. Him vs Brezeale would be a 50-50 fight which speaks volumes about AJ's calibre of opponents.

What on earth makes you people believe Stiverne still even deserves a spot in the top 30? Duhaupas improved after the Wilder fight, because that was the moment he realised there's money in the boxing world. Szpilka became a lot stronger after the Wilder fight as well, but still doesn't seem impressive to me and his stamina isn't that good in the later rounds.

Szpilka became a lot stronger after the Wilder fight? He hasn't fought since you joker.

[asdfjkl]

I don't rate whyte at all. He's British level, maybe Euro at a stretch. He'd beat shot Arreola, Molina, Cornish, Martin and Shot Kingpin but can't see him beating Stiverne, Duhaupas or Szpilka. Him vs Brezeale would be a 50-50 fight which speaks volumes about AJ's calibre of opponents.

What on earth makes you people believe Stiverne still even deserves a spot in the top 30? Duhaupas improved after the Wilder fight, because that was the moment he realised there's money in the boxing world. Szpilka became a lot stronger after the Wilder fight as well, but still doesn't seem impressive to me and his stamina isn't that good in the later rounds.

Szpilka became a lot stronger after the Wilder fight? He hasn't fought since you joker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNp_bKyVR5E

https://www.instagram.com/artur_szpilka/

Judge for yourself... I estimate he gained about 10 pounds of muscle, if not more.

[BitPlayer]

I think you confuse Wilder and AJ, don't you?

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

Joshua didn't fight current Whyte, he fought out of shape, "I train myself" Whyte. And what's Whyte done to make you think that? Knocking out someone faster than Tony Bellew? Out pointing someone an area level fighter? Retiring someone in round 10 that can barely go 4?

[Rob3_142]

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

I don't rate whyte at all. He's British level, maybe Euro at a stretch. He'd beat shot Arreola, Molina, Cornish, Martin and Shot Kingpin but can't see him beating Stiverne, Duhaupas or Szpilka. Him vs Brezeale would be a 50-50 fight which speaks volumes about AJ's calibre of opponents.

I think Whyte comfortably beats Breazeale. He beats all of AJ's opponents, while I fancy him to have a decent chance against all Wilder's opponents too. I didn't really rate Szpilka, but thought he had a commendable performance against Wilder, so that would definitely be close. Stiverne is shot to sh*t and Duhaupas would be a good fight but still see Whyte edging it. There's a lot of discussion as to how good Whyte is, but I think he's very quickly adding an improved game to his already pre-existing good attributes (power and chin). I think Whyte will beat Chisora next time out.

[asdfjkl]

I criticise Wilder a lot but his top 5 wins (Stiverne, Duhaupas, Szpilka, Molina and Arreola) are far better than AJ's top 5 (Brezeale, Whyte, Martin, Johnson and Cornish).

AJ's best opponent should arguably have lost to Fred Kassi and the other three names feature British Level Dillian Whyte, the worst heavyweight champ ever, a completely shot Kevin Johnson and Area Level Gary Cornish.

Current Whyte would win against them all, especially at the time Wilder fought them, and the way AJ was dominating was far more impressing as Wilder his wins.

Joshua didn't fight current Whyte, he fought out of shape, "I train myself" Whyte. And what's Whyte done to make you think that? Knocking out someone faster than Tony Bellew? Out pointing someone an area level fighter? Retiring someone in round 10 that can barely go 4?

KOing 3 different guys out faster then Parker seemed more impressive. Somehow Whyte was indeed not 100% against AJ, but AJ already waited for several months before that fight. In the beginning they were planning the fight on 12 september 2015, but Whyte said he was injured and not ready for AJ, he could fight somehow. Now AJ waited and fought someone else, but wasn't planning to wait forever. Also note that AJ straight away said he wanted a rematch, probably because he felt embarrassed. AJ learned a lot from that fight, it was probably one of the best things that could happen to him at the time without losing too much face. Before Whyte everything went so easy he thought he was superman.