Your view on AJ?

[Finn]

I just can't warm to the guy, there's something not quite right about the whole manufactured persona.

Humble? Yet spends all day posting photos with his sponsors in them on private jets and beaches.

A gentleman? I though his behaviour during the haye v Bellew fight showed more of his real side. He wanted to see Haye humiliated despite knowing he was injured.

A top heavy weight? Remains to be seen but we'll find out next month.

His fans? Generally AJ fans rather than boxing fans, nothing wrong with that at all but they do talk massive amounts of ill informed crap and I think that puts me off him too. It's bitter I know but I almost want him to get his arse handed to him just to shut them up.

The saviour of boxing? Well in terms of getting the public back interested in boxing and raising its profile him and Hearn have been a great team and done a fantastic job. I just wonder if I'm grumpy about this and liked it more when I was following a niche sport, although I'm really enjoying some of the boxing out on these days.

I think I'd warm to him much more if he proves himself at the top level because then my boxing snobbery will be able to help me feel like I'm supporting a genuine talent rather than an overhyped cash cow.

Just my honest thoughts.

[HomicideHenry]

I think the man is more Frank Bruno than he is Lennox Lewis.

So much hype and attention on this young man with less than 20 pro bouts, who hasn't really fought anyone of consequence. I often times wonder if his public persona is actually a front of some sort, something doesn't seem genuine about the man. I may be wrong but that's the vibe I get from him. As a fighter, again, to me he hasn't proven anything. I essentially see a faster version of David Price with a better body--- but all the same mistakes. He fights in a straight line, no real head movement, always pressing forward. I'd hate for him to actually fight someone of any real size who could actually move (Tyson Fury), because he'd look mediocre in such a contest. That being said, in his upcoming bout with Klitschko.... If he cannot get rid of Wladimir inside of the first three or four rounds, he's done.... I see Klitschko getting him out of there inside of six or eight rounds.

[Taansend]

I like AJ.

I like Fury (both)

I liked Lewis

I liked Bruno

I liked Mason

Never warmed to Wayne Llewellyn though

[davie]

I just can't warm to the guy, there's something not quite right about the whole manufactured persona.

Humble? Yet spends all day posting photos with his sponsors in them on private jets and beaches.

A gentleman? I though his behaviour during the haye v Bellew fight showed more of his real side. He wanted to see Haye humiliated despite knowing he was injured.

A top heavy weight? Remains to be seen but we'll find out next month.

His fans? Generally AJ fans rather than boxing fans, nothing wrong with that at all but they do talk massive amounts of ill informed crap and I think that puts me off him too. It's bitter I know but I almost want him to get his arse handed to him just to shut them up.

The saviour of boxing? Well in terms of getting the public back interested in boxing and raising its profile him and Hearn have been a great team and done a fantastic job. I just wonder if I'm grumpy about this and liked it more when I was following a niche sport, although I'm really enjoying some of the boxing out on these days.

I think I'd warm to him much more if he proves himself at the top level because then my boxing snobbery will be able to help me feel like I'm supporting a genuine talent rather than an overhyped cash cow.

Just my honest thoughts.

Pretty much all of this and then some

I am a fan, almost by default of course, because he is a British fighter. By which I mean I will support him when he fights Klitschko, but I have that element of devilment which would quite like to see Hearns face when he was sparked out on the canvas.

And therein lies the problem, I fornicating detest Eddie Hearn and all he stands for.......And this giant is pretty much the 6'6" representation of what Eddie stands for.
The media managed cash cow.


As a fighter the guy has talent, he's what you want to see in a ring, exciting and destructive. He definitely has plenty power and an offensive toolkit that makes him a scary prospect for most
However, there are some question marks that the cynical critical thinkers among us like to ask (as opposed to the ridiculous fan boys that plague these board, who have already decided this guy is the best p4p heavywieght that ever lived). I think I sometimes get ahead of myself though. Just because he hasn't answered these questions yet, doesn't mean he wont.

Only time will tell, I suppose and I guess we should just enjoy the ride until we do.
But I totally feel the OP's inability to warm to the guy

[Taansend]

I just can't warm to the guy, there's something not quite right about the whole manufactured persona.

Humble? Yet spends all day posting photos with his sponsors in them on private jets and beaches.

A gentleman? I though his behaviour during the haye v Bellew fight showed more of his real side. He wanted to see Haye humiliated despite knowing he was injured.

A top heavy weight? Remains to be seen but we'll find out next month.

His fans? Generally AJ fans rather than boxing fans, nothing wrong with that at all but they do talk massive amounts of ill informed crap and I think that puts me off him too. It's bitter I know but I almost want him to get his arse handed to him just to shut them up.

The saviour of boxing? Well in terms of getting the public back interested in boxing and raising its profile him and Hearn have been a great team and done a fantastic job. I just wonder if I'm grumpy about this and liked it more when I was following a niche sport, although I'm really enjoying some of the boxing out on these days.

I think I'd warm to him much more if he proves himself at the top level because then my boxing snobbery will be able to help me feel like I'm supporting a genuine talent rather than an overhyped cash cow.

Just my honest thoughts.

Pretty much all of this and then some

I am a fan, almost by default of course, because he is a British fighter. By which I mean I will support him when he fights Klitschko, but I have that element of devilment which would quite like to see Hearns face when he was sparked out on the canvas.

And therein lies the problem, I effing detest Eddie Hearn and all he stands for.......And this giant is pretty much the 6'6" representation of what Eddie stands for.
The media managed cash cow.


As a fighter the guy has talent, he's what you want to see in a ring, exciting and destructive. He definitely has plenty power and an offensive toolkit that makes him a scary prospect for most
However, there are some question marks that the cynical critical thinkers among us like to ask (as opposed to the ridiculous fan boys that plague these board, who have already decided this guy is the best p4p heavywieght that ever lived). I think I sometimes get ahead of myself though. Just because he hasn't answered these questions yet, doesn't mean he wont.

Only time will tell, I suppose and I guess we should just enjoy the ride until we do.
But I totally feel the OP's inability to warm to the guy

Is Eddie the cause of the problem or is he just exploiting how things work now?

We have a reality tv star who is "Leader of the Free World".

Everything has changed. We live in a plastic interchangeable world now.

I can't blame Hearn or Joshua for making the most of things.

[deadpan]

I agree wholeheartedly with the OP.

I'm wondering what will be exposed first, his true personality, his pugilistic shortcomings or his Povetkinian traits.

[SAPFO]

Great offensive boxer, but as above, he'll get found out at the top level as he is.

Casuals piss me off. They think boxing is about just punching a static target.

[davie]

Is Eddie the cause of the problem or is he just exploiting how things work now?

We have a reality tv star who is "Leader of the Free World".

Everything has changed. We live in a plastic interchangeable world now.

I can't blame Hearn or Joshua for making the most of things.

Surely those who just go along with it and make the most of things are then part of the problem

If you accept that things are shit and not only comply with the norms but utilise them and exploit them for your own gain then you are the reason these things are the acceptable norm, you are creating the fucked up situation we live in

Point the finger of blame Taansend, it'll make you feel so much better

Eddie's a pudendum and AJ is his little cvntpuppet

[Taansend]

Is Eddie the cause of the problem or is he just exploiting how things work now?

We have a reality tv star who is "Leader of the Free World".

Everything has changed. We live in a plastic interchangeable world now.

I can't blame Hearn or Joshua for making the most of things.

Surely those who just go along with it and make the most of things are then part of the problem

If you accept that things are poo and not only comply with the norms but utilise them and exploit them for your own gain then you are the reason these things are the acceptable norm, you are creating the fucked up situation we live in

Point the finger of blame Taansend, it'll make you feel so much better

Eddie's a pudendum and AJ is his little cvntpuppet

I'll be honest, mate. I'm just happy that boxing is on. Anyway. I remember back in the 80's when saying you were a boxing fan was akin to saying you were a paedophile

It amuses me to see people complaining about boxing being so popular it attracts new fans

[kbackup408]

Always felt the same about AJ he has a different persona on Sky compared to his social media/real life.

April is the month where we will find out if AJ is the real deal regardless of Klit's age or ring rust !

[BitPlayer]

As a prospect he's done brilliant, but as a champion he is a joke, beating Wlad would change that though. Personality wise he seems fake and really bad at doing it.

[lefthook82]

As a fighter he is a paper champ until he beats Vlad

As a personality after Saturday I think he should just shut up and look pretty for Instagram.

[forcefraser]

He's hungry and he's humble. What's not to like?

Seriously though, would people prefer him to mouth off like Boomer?

[keirw]

I essentially see a faster version of David Price with a better body--- but all the same mistakes. He fights in a straight line, no real head movement, always pressing forward.

There are similarities for sure, but differences too.

He has a great deal more variety to his punches than Price has, he also carries power in both hands and isn't afraid to throw combinations.

He also seems to enjoy a tear up more than Price ever did.

I'm still not sold on him as a world class heavyweight but I will reserve judgement until after the Wlad fight, as even a shot Wlad is still better than 99% of heavyweights today.

[asdfjkl]

I see him as the leader of the heavyweight division, the strongest, the fittest, the fastest.

[rhino222]

I like AJ.

I like Fury (both)

I liked Lewis

I liked Bruno

I liked Mason

Never warmed to Wayne Llewellyn though

strangely accurate to my mode of thought. henry Akinwande also never gave me a semi-on

[tobyh5]

As a fighter, paper champion, potential chin issue, but done all that has been asked and expected from him at this stage. Beaten some god awful fighters in his "title" fights. Potentially could prove to be a worthy and very good champion.

As a person there are different elements - probably not quite the decent guy he projects, I sense some darkness. But then he is acting like a role model, albeit a boring dull one. But what is wrong with projecting a good image in public? That is what kids and people see and nowt wrong with wanting them to look at a guy who appears to be a nice guy and want to emulate what they see. Is it fake? Sure it probably is, but then, we all have a face we show inside and outside of our homes and do keep some of our own thoughts and sh*t hidden.

I met him on Saturday night, he hung around for ages taking pictures and chatting. My friends sponsor him so I name dropped them and we had a quick chat about them. He could be a right c**t for all I care, in the moment I met him as a fan, he gave me a moment to remember.

[SteveDow]

I don't particularly dislike him in terms of his personality. Yes, he's clearly manufactured and is basically reading from a script but he's never disrespectful to his opponents.

In terms of his fighting though, I'm yet to be sold. Klitschko will be a huge test. He's basically fought bums other than Dillian Whyte who is at best European level in my view. If Wlad retains any of his old ability AJ is in for a tough night. He's jumping up several levels here and it may prove too soon.

[Taansend]

I like AJ.

I like Fury (both)

I liked Lewis

I liked Bruno

I liked Mason

Never warmed to Wayne Llewellyn though

strangely accurate to my mode of thought. henry Akinwande also never gave me a semi-on

I stayed up late to listen to Henry box Scott Welch somewhere in America on BBC Radio 2 so he must have pushed my buttons.

[bodyactive]

AJ looks a real humble nice kid.Heavyweights at the minute not very many big blokes in top shape that has been boxing from a young age so it doesnt look a very good division at the moment apart from a few so AJ got evey chance of dominating the division i think

[Mimmy]

I like AJ.

I like Fury (both)

I liked Lewis

I liked Bruno

I liked Mason

Never warmed to Wayne Llewellyn though

Or Scott Welch

[Stuarty]

As a fighter I like him. What's not to like? He goes in and takes people out and seems to enjoy doing it. That's what the heavyweights should be about. His level of competition so far hasn't been great but he'll more than make up for that next month if he topples Wlad.

As a person it's difficult to judge because of all the fakery so you can really only judge his 'celebrity'. Like most celebs he's probably a bit of a toss away from the cameras and he's probably a bit of a diva.

He came out of his media trained bubble a little in the Whyte build up. I'd like to see a bit more of that spite but what he's doing is obviously working so far.

[CMDY]

As a fighter, paper champion, potential chin issue, but done all that has been asked and expected from him at this stage. Beaten some god awful fighters in his "title" fights. Potentially could prove to be a worthy and very good champion.

As a person there are different elements - probably not quite the decent guy he projects, I sense some darkness. But then he is acting like a role model, albeit a boring dull one. But what is wrong with projecting a good image in public? That is what kids and people see and nowt wrong with wanting them to look at a guy who appears to be a nice guy and want to emulate what they see. Is it fake? Sure it probably is, but then, we all have a face we show inside and outside of our homes and do keep some of our own thoughts and sh*t hidden.

I met him on Saturday night, he hung around for ages taking pictures and chatting. My friends sponsor him so I name dropped them and we had a quick chat about them. He could be a right c**t for all I care, in the moment I met him as a fan, he gave me a moment to remember.

fair play. I want AJ to do well. Prefer Tyson Fury, but like them both.

[gilgamesh]

I like AJ and am looking forward to seeing how his career plays out. He's the biggest Heavyweight star in the world hands down if he beats Klitschko next month.

[Boxerbeetle]

I don't particularly dislike him in terms of his personality. Yes, he's clearly manufactured and is basically reading from a script but he's never disrespectful to his opponents.

In terms of his fighting though, I'm yet to be sold. Klitschko will be a huge test. He's basically fought bums other than Dillian Whyte who is at best European level in my view. If Wlad retains any of his old ability AJ is in for a tough night. He's jumping up several levels here and it may prove too soon.

Apart from when he hits them after the bell or when they're down