When Wlad Lands Clean

[SAPFO]

What will happen?

[Mimmy]

Knockout?

Im sure if any heavyweight had a clean shot at another boxer there can only be one outcome, even if you have a chin like Oliver McCall.

[TheLeprechaun]

When the fight was first announced I was all over Wlad. I couldn't envisage AJ getting past Wlads jab. I could see Wlad throwing a fast 1-2 and hurting AJ badly. I didn't really see how AJ could avoid the jab and right hand for too long. AJ is very robotic and predictable.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I took into account how much of a pussy Klitschko is. AJ is just as big, and will be letting his hands go no matter what. He might even be able to land some of his own jabs. I just think Klitschko will panic when AJ starts letting his hands go. He will start the fencing and holding routine and if Joshua just keeps letting his hands go, Klitschko will panic and fall apart for me. He's great when he's on top but the slightest crisis and I mean SLIGHTEST, is all AJ will need to cause to win the fight.

I would never back Klitschko in a fight like this. Vitali would be a different story.

[Rexob]

Wlad isn't landing anything he will be shot to pieces inside four rounds unable to pull the trigger and taking a hiding in the process.

[Mimmy]

Wlad isn't landing anything he will be shot to pieces inside four rounds unable to pull the trigger and taking a hiding in the process.

This

[wesshaw1985]

AJ will fall...

[samwbr]

When the stronger quicker younger man lands clean what happens?

[Andrew]

I really can not believe people are completly writing Wlad off. I'm going to repeat what I have said when this fight announced.

What is AJs best win ? Dillian Whyte the only opponent he has faced who came to win. He landed a decent shot and not good enough to follow up

Whyte is British level max. Wladimir could have 4 years out and knock Whyte out in 6 rounds. Vitali with 10 weeks notice right now would probably do the same.

People look at wlads inactivity as a major factor for him losing this. But AJ hasn't had a proper fight since Whyte which was only two weeks after Wlad v Fury. The last three opponents have been absolutely dire offering nothing to him offensively.

There is nothing to suggest AJ has improved since the Whyte fight.

[Tuan_Jim]

I was hoping 'When Wlad Lands Clean' would turn out to be the title of a ballad or lyric poem but, alas, it's just a question.

Were it not for Samuel Peter's slobbish lifestyle and fitness he could have closed the show on Wladimir Klitschko in September 2005 and spared heavyweight boxing a decade of brutal tedium. But when Joshua inevitably hurts Klitschko he's going to be all over him, and the ungainly holding and spoiling that has served him so well against second-raters won't work against a man this young, fit and determined.

It would of course be hilarious if Dr Rustyhammer landed the big one on The Humble One AKA The Greatest AKA Sugar Humble, but we all know from bitter experience that Wlad prefers to take his time even versus half-cadavers, and that spells doom versus AJ. In fact the Joshua chin will likely still be a mystery when this one is over.

[Andrew]

I was hoping 'When Wlad Lands Clean' would turn out to be the title of a ballad or lyric poem but, alas, it's just a question.

Were it not for Samuel Peter's slobbish lifestyle and fitness he could have closed the show on Wladimir Klitschko in September 2005 and spared heavyweight boxing a decade of brutal tedium. But when Joshua inevitably hurts Klitschko he's going to be all over him, and the ungainly holding and spoiling that has served him so well against second-raters won't work against a man this young, fit and determined.

It would of course be hilarious if Dr Rustyhammer landed the big one on The Humble One AKA The Greatest AKA Sugar Humble, but we all know from bitter experience that Wlad prefers to take his time even versus half-cadavers, and that spells doom versus AJ. In fact the Joshua chin will likely still be a mystery when this one is over.

You forgot people's champion

[tobyh5]

At his best, Wlad almost certainly beats AJ, at least this still work-in-progress version. When they are both retired and we look back, maybe AJ will have proven to be a better ATG fighter but right now he is still a bit to raw to beat the best Wlad. The question is clearly - which Wlad will turn up?

If he has enough to manage to nullify AJ for a couple rounds and then detonate on his chin, it will be game over, but how much is left?

[Bard of Boxrec]

I was hoping 'When Wlad Lands Clean' would turn out to be the title of a ballad or lyric poem but, alas, it's just a question.

Were it not for Samuel Peter's slobbish lifestyle and fitness he could have closed the show on Wladimir Klitschko in September 2005 and spared heavyweight boxing a decade of brutal tedium. But when Joshua inevitably hurts Klitschko he's going to be all over him, and the ungainly holding and spoiling that has served him so well against second-raters won't work against a man this young, fit and determined.

It would of course be hilarious if Dr Rustyhammer landed the big one on The Humble One AKA The Greatest AKA Sugar Humble, but we all know from bitter experience that Wlad prefers to take his time even versus half-cadavers, and that spells doom versus AJ. In fact the Joshua chin will likely still be a mystery when this one is over.

This, No need for Wlad to worry about landing or even throwing anything. Sugar Stay Humble will do what the fat, third rate slob Sam Peter almost did and end the Wlad era of misery once and for all. We should all be very pleased.

[JimJim2009]

When the fight was first announced I was all over Wlad. I couldn't envisage AJ getting past Wlads jab. I could see Wlad throwing a fast 1-2 and hurting AJ badly. I didn't really see how AJ could avoid the jab and right hand for too long. AJ is very robotic and predictable.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I took into account how much of a pussy Klitschko is. AJ is just as big, and will be letting his hands go no matter what. He might even be able to land some of his own jabs. I just think Klitschko will panic when AJ starts letting his hands go. He will start the fencing and holding routine and if Joshua just keeps letting his hands go, Klitschko will panic and fall apart for me. He's great when he's on top but the slightest crisis and I mean SLIGHTEST, is all AJ will need to cause to win the fight.

I would never back Klitschko in a fight like this. Vitali would be a different story.

[Syntax Error]

I was hoping 'When Wlad Lands Clean' would turn out to be the title of a ballad or lyric poem but, alas, it's just a question.

Were it not for Samuel Peter's slobbish lifestyle and fitness he could have closed the show on Wladimir Klitschko in September 2005 and spared heavyweight boxing a decade of brutal tedium. But when Joshua inevitably hurts Klitschko he's going to be all over him, and the ungainly holding and spoiling that has served him so well against second-raters won't work against a man this young, fit and determined.

It would of course be hilarious if Dr Rustyhammer landed the big one on The Humble One AKA The Greatest AKA Sugar Humble, but we all know from bitter experience that Wlad prefers to take his time even versus half-cadavers, and that spells doom versus AJ. In fact the Joshua chin will likely still be a mystery when this one is over.

On the money.

[Bodyshot3]

Be fascinating to see what Wlad actually brings because it is open to so much speculation now.

A last, deeply ill-advised throw off the dice and away from his German Comfort Blanket by a fortysomething who has been inactive for too long?

Or a fully rested, focussed and vastly more experienced champion hell-bent on putting things right against a still quite green youngster?

I am tempted to think that it also has to be very early as well as clean for Wlad to have a chance. If he shakes AJ in the opening rounds then the fight becomes a proper battle and especially if Wlad's kept himself out of harm's way.

Whyte got through to AJ - but a proper crack from Wlad - and in the opening exchanges is an altogether different prospect.

Whether Wlad can deliver some early lightning - rather than fence with the jab, hold and smother - is anyone's guess.

[forcefraser]

Whoever wins, as long as they do a Sam Peter and shout "WHO NEXT" I will be happy.

[lillywhite14]

Wlad was arguably shot when he fought Jennings. He looked even worse against Fury.

Theres a great chance Joshua takes him apart and it's all done for him.

Heavyweight boxers simply do not peak at 37+ years of age.

[Bodyshot3]

Wlad was arguably shot when he fought Jennings. He looked even worse against Fury.

Theres a great chance Joshua takes him apart and it's all done for him.

Heavyweight boxers simply do not peak at 37+ years of age.

Agreed mate, to his eternal credit Fury made a right monkey out of Wlad and if he'd planted his feet it could have been worse.

But I actually thought that defeat was primarily down to Wlad being shocked (rather than shot) to face such a huge man who opted to box (and boxed well) and who was also too big and tall to bully/maul.

However, the thing about the K brothers is that they are uber-disciplined, they're big men with some athletic ability and they live the life; so if anyone can legitimately do it as a fortysomethiing it is them. I have a feeling Wlad will be trim and the break may have helped him.

What I am unsure about is his willingness to break the mould and some very old, ingrained habits - throw early, hard and commit to being progressive/aggressive and taking a risk or three as the contender- rather than spearing out the jab and spoiling.

[Jackson328]

If Wlad lands clean then I think its probably over as something just tells me that AJ doesn't hold a shot too well and the mental pressure will be intense but if he's still standing I've no doubt he fires back hard and aggressively so maybe Wlad will shy away from stirring a hornets nest? Joshua seems to have a bit of the Bruno about him sometimes and he's never been in with anyone of Wlads stature. I think Eddie is gambling that Wlad is over the hill personally and if you judge him by his last couple of fights plus the inactivity its a reasonable enough punt in my opinion.

With a big fight like this I always think about the parameters of victory and defeat and how wide they might be, the possibility extremes. I wouldn't be totally shocked by any kind of stoppage win for either man in any round to be honest, if even a fringe world level heavyweight lands cleanly it can easily happen. A decision for Wlad wouldn't shock me either if he can avoid AJ's bombs and get his jab and grab routine working again but I'm struggling to envisage Joshua winning by decision for some reason. I very rarely bet, last week I went with the consensus and had a little flutter on Haye in 5, but if I had to put money on this one I would probably go for Klitschko by decision. I hope AJ flattens him spectacularly btw

[lillywhite14]

If Wlad lands clean on anyone, they are in trouble by the way. The big question is if he can land.

[fanman]

When the fight was first announced I was all over Wlad. I couldn't envisage AJ getting past Wlads jab. I could see Wlad throwing a fast 1-2 and hurting AJ badly. I didn't really see how AJ could avoid the jab and right hand for too long. AJ is very robotic and predictable.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I took into account how much of a pussy Klitschko is.

I would never back Klitschko in a fight like this. Vitali would be a different story.

This line cracked me up too ... However it points to a truth that vlad needs to somehow redeem himself from that poor performance last time out, which if his timing and reflexes have dimmed significantly he won't be able to do.
It is interesting in that joshua has had only 1 real fight and none against top tier opposition, they are both massive, top conditioned athletes, and vlad has himself never faced such a confident and equally talented athlete.
Can klitschko handle a big, imposing super-heavy? Has vlad's ability to pull the right hand trigger gone? Is joshua the real deal? ...
History would tell us that this is a passing of the torch fight ... Boxing needs a new era ... But i'd like to think 10 years on top has taught vlad a few tricks and that he will let the inexperienced joshua walk himself on to a big ko punch.

[SAPFO]

The Klitschko Legacy is riding on this. They know it, I am sure they are prepared for the challenge.

I know we associate Wlad with jab jab jab right grab, and I know it was near 3 years ago now, but that left hook Wlad landed on Pulev would flatten AJ. AJ is wide open for that when he gets sloppy. AJ has got to stay disciplined, or get humbled.

Left-Hook KO of Pulev

3:35min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPZrvNRi-ro

[davie]

I can honestly see this going either way and it all depends on what Wlad has left.
I'm fairly certain of AJ's strengths and his limitations, I can't see him being greatly imporved from his last few fights

Wlad on the other hand. If he's still got the tools he had a few years back I think he's all wrong for Joshua na dJoshua will have no answer for him.
If Wlad is past it, which is a very real possibility, AJ will most likely demolish him. You can't go in with a fighter like Joshua not on your A game and expect not to get hurt.

[Rob3_142]

If Wlad lands clean with his best shot, I believe that Joshua does go down. However I also believe that we get to the end of the fight and the same question will remain unanswered, and that is of Joshua's chin.

There is many factors which make me feel that way. Firstly, as we found out against Fury, perhaps all of a sudden Klitschko is a bit gun shy? Of course Fury was much taller, and perhaps a lot more awkward than Joshua, but has he lost his confidence to let his hands go? Joshua has never had any confidence issues for letting his hands go, and at the moment Joshua has all the momentum in that department. Secondly, Joshua does defend very well. He has good feet, can get in and out of range very quickly. He holds his hands high, and can turn defence very quickly into attack. Thirdly, because Joshua is extremely offensive, if Klitschko gets a few fights on the gloves, or into the body, he will feel the power and feel he cannot go too much on the offensive. And finally, Joshua is also very good on the counter. Although Klitschko is very good behind the straight jab, once he throws that overhand right, Joshua is very quick to get under it and throw the counter right. I think this will add to him being tentative of throwing too many offensive shots, and may just encourage AJ to just step on the gas.

Klitschko, generally speaking, has enjoyed being the physical A side. Either it being strength, height, or punch power. However here, I don't believe he trumps any of these factors. AJ and WK are same size. If Klitschko tries to go for the jab-jab hold, Joshua is going to be far too strong to make it stick. And as far punch power goes, I think it's pretty even, although Joshua's output will outnumber Klitschko's at least 2 to 1.

[Counter-puncher]

Joshua is going to brutalise him, and I'm both a fence-sitter a lot of the time and an AJ-hater.