Wladimir Klitschko turns 41 today

[Seamus]

Yep, and if Joshua stops him in the 1st minute that means he'll have beaten a 41 yr old who hasn't had a good performance in 2 years.

[HomicideHenry]

If Wladimir was to beat Joshua, how damaging do you believe it would be to the young up-starts career, with Wladimir being the age he is and how he looked in his last fight?

It'd set back Joshua another two-three years.

After all, if Klitschko wins, he'll probably go after Deontay Wilder or the Parker-Fury winner. Joshua would have to go back to the drawing board, especially if he loses badly.

I suspect that if Tyson Fury does return, what we'll probably see is a world title eliminator between Joshua-Fury for the right to fight Klitschko for the heavyweight championship; provided if Wlad doesn't retire first, and those two duke it out for the vacant title and then go after Wilder.

Could this be echoes of the first Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling fight?

Funny, a few weeks ago I said concerning this fight it'll be Louis-Schmeling I all over again. The cagey old veteran and ex champion will "see something" in the younger, allegedly indestructible fighting machine. He'll be exposed. As long as Klitschko is focused, and has something to prove to himself, Joshua will not come out the victor in this.

[Freedom2013]

Wladimir Klitschko wants to hold his farewell fight on the huge stadium in Kiev

http://boxingnews.com.ua/en/news/19136- ... ne-v-kieve

[punchoutsb]

Wladimir Klitschko wants to hold his farewell fight on the huge stadium in Kiev

http://boxingnews.com.ua/en/news/19136- ... ne-v-kieve

I think this is very telling and important information. A couple years ago Wlad said he wanted to fight on for another ten years; now he is discussing his farewell fight. Wlad knows he's losing his in-ring ability with age, as every fighter will except Kalan. I wonder if his mentality is where it should be while preparing for AJ? Wlad has always been a true professional, but age catches up with everyone and he is clearly aware of it. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I believe this is telling.

[BitPlayer]

Wladimir Klitschko wants to hold his farewell fight on the huge stadium in Kiev

http://boxingnews.com.ua/en/news/19136- ... ne-v-kieve

I think this is very telling and important information. A couple years ago Wlad said he wanted to fight on for another ten years; now he is discussing his farewell fight. Wlad knows he's losing his in-ring ability with age, as every fighter will except Kalan. I wonder if his mentality is where it should be while preparing for AJ? Wlad has always been a true professional, but age catches up with everyone and he is clearly aware of it. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I believe this is telling.

He didn't put a date on it from what I've seen.

[punchoutsb]

Wladimir Klitschko wants to hold his farewell fight on the huge stadium in Kiev

http://boxingnews.com.ua/en/news/19136- ... ne-v-kieve

I think this is very telling and important information. A couple years ago Wlad said he wanted to fight on for another ten years; now he is discussing his farewell fight. Wlad knows he's losing his in-ring ability with age, as every fighter will except Kalan. I wonder if his mentality is where it should be while preparing for AJ? Wlad has always been a true professional, but age catches up with everyone and he is clearly aware of it. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I believe this is telling.

He didn't put a date on it from what I've seen.

I know...but he's thinking about it. I believe it was either after Leapai or Jennings that he said he had ten more years in him; now he's talking about his farewell fight. That sounds like a man that's done some soul searching.

[RScarf1]

I think, win or lose, this fight with Joshua will be his last fight.

[candyslim]

Yep, and if Joshua stops him in the 1st minute that means he'll have beaten a 41 yr old who hasn't had a good performance in 2 years.

Exactly. I think AJ is on a bit of a hiding to nothing. He is facing one of the most dominant heavyweights of any era in history, and could be walking into an ambush for which he is hopelessly ill equipped in terms of experience to date.

On the other hand if he destroys Wlad then it's going to be "He beat an old guy who would have slaughtered him had he been half what he used to be".

AJ knows this full well. It pays well admittedly, but I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking this high risk lose/lose exam. I mean Arreola is probably available soon if not now.

[Tanzio]

Yep, and if Joshua stops him in the 1st minute that means he'll have beaten a 41 yr old who hasn't had a good performance in 2 years.

Exactly. I think AJ is on a bit of a hiding to nothing. He is facing one of the most dominant heavyweights of any era in history, and could be walking into an ambush for which he is hopelessly ill equipped in terms of experience to date.

On the other hand if he destroys Wlad then it's going to be "He beat an old guy who would have slaughtered him had he been half what he used to be".

AJ knows this full well. It pays well admittedly, but I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking this high risk lose/lose exam. I mean Arreola is probably available soon if not now.

Marciano has a W over Louis.

[Loki]

I thought he deserved to win against Fury. That was a BS decision. Nice breakfast he's eating. Eggs are good for you, including the yolk. He's in great shape, especially for his age, but I don't know if he can beat Joshua.

I'm a K brothers fan, but you don't fights without throwing a punch. IMO, it looked like either Wlad got old or threw the fight.

[Loki]

Wlad hasn't had a fight in his 40s.

He's fighting Joshua and will be 40.

You're being premature with your praise. 39 year old Wlad looked very poor. Let's wait and see. He hasn't yet had a fight in his 40s.

Perhaps, but he's been through two training camps since Fury loss. Even so, name another fighter who's been at the top of their game into their forties since 2000. Hopkins. Who else?

[candyslim]

Yep, and if Joshua stops him in the 1st minute that means he'll have beaten a 41 yr old who hasn't had a good performance in 2 years.

Exactly. I think AJ is on a bit of a hiding to nothing. He is facing one of the most dominant heavyweights of any era in history, and could be walking into an ambush for which he is hopelessly ill equipped in terms of experience to date.

On the other hand if he destroys Wlad then it's going to be "He beat an old guy who would have slaughtered him had he been half what he used to be".

AJ knows this full well. It pays well admittedly, but I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking this high risk lose/lose exam. I mean Arreola is probably available soon if not now.

Marciano has a W over Louis.

Sure he does but I'm not sure I get your point? There is a parallel here, I get that. Marciano came through it but I doubt his win convinced may people that he was better than a prime Joe Louis. I expect this to go the same way ... the fight to be remembered as the passing of the baton, rather than affecting either man's overall standing/ historical reputation.

[RScarf1]

I thought he deserved to win against Fury. That was a BS decision. Nice breakfast he's eating. Eggs are good for you, including the yolk. He's in great shape, especially for his age, but I don't know if he can beat Joshua.

I'm a K brothers fan, but you don't fights without throwing a punch. IMO, it looked like either Wlad got old or threw the fight.

It was a close fight, but Wlad should have won. That's the way I scored it.

[Asterix]

Perhaps, but he's been through two training camps since Fury loss. Even so, name another fighter who's been at the top of their game into their forties since 2000. Hopkins. Who else?

My point is that Wlad is not in that category yet.

[Tanzio]

Exactly. I think AJ is on a bit of a hiding to nothing. He is facing one of the most dominant heavyweights of any era in history, and could be walking into an ambush for which he is hopelessly ill equipped in terms of experience to date.

On the other hand if he destroys Wlad then it's going to be "He beat an old guy who would have slaughtered him had he been half what he used to be".

AJ knows this full well. It pays well admittedly, but I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking this high risk lose/lose exam. I mean Arreola is probably available soon if not now.

Marciano has a W over Louis.

Sure he does but I'm not sure I get your point? There is a parallel here, I get that. Marciano came through it but I doubt his win convinced may people that he was better than a prime Joe Louis. I expect this to go the same way ... the fight to be remembered as the passing of the baton, rather than affecting either man's overall standing/ historical reputation.

Totally agree.

However, if Wlad takes down the young lion it will be a significant boost to his legacy (and possibly lead to a certain pea brain taking a swan dive from a high place onto concrete).

[Loki]

Perhaps, but he's been through two training camps since Fury loss. Even so, name another fighter who's been at the top of their game into their forties since 2000. Hopkins. Who else?

My point is that Wlad is not in that category yet.

Jobsworth.

[candyslim]

Marciano has a W over Louis.

Sure he does but I'm not sure I get your point? There is a parallel here, I get that. Marciano came through it but I doubt his win convinced may people that he was better than a prime Joe Louis. I expect this to go the same way ... the fight to be remembered as the passing of the baton, rather than affecting either man's overall standing/ historical reputation.

Totally agree.

However, if Wlad takes down the young lion it will be a significant boost to his legacy (and possibly lead to a certain pea brain taking a swan dive from a high place onto concrete).

True, except in the eyes of those myopic types who will insist that Joshua was just a hype-job with no particular skills or quality. I'm not even going to speculate as to who you are referring to but I suspect the pea-brain in question may be one of our fellow forum dwellers

[caldo2025]

The worst heavyweight champion ever probably had the most boring birthday party with the worlds worst cake that probably didn't even have frosting on it. People were going to go to his party but they decided to watch paint dry on a wall instead. I'm sure Wlad will be his highly entertaining self cracking jokes and being the life of the party though.

Who cares? Good riddance to the Goof that almost killed boxing.

[greg]

..solid resume, excellent professional career..wonder who'll be the next HW champ coming anywhere near in terms of longevity of his reign..

[Tanzio]

The worst heavyweight champion ever probably had the most boring birthday party with the worlds worst cake that probably didn't even have frosting on it. People were going to go to his party but they decided to watch paint dry on a wall instead. I'm sure Wlad will be his highly entertaining self cracking jokes and being the life of the party though.

Who cares? Good riddance to the Goof that almost killed boxing.

touché.

[Loki]

The worst heavyweight champion ever probably had the most boring birthday party with the worlds worst cake that probably didn't even have frosting on it. People were going to go to his party but they decided to watch paint dry on a wall instead. I'm sure Wlad will be his highly entertaining self cracking jokes and being the life of the party though.

Who cares? Good riddance to the Goof that almost killed boxing.

I stopped reading after worse heavyweight champion ever.

[candyslim]

I lied Tanzio I could not help but speculate ... and then right on cue ... as if by magic ... who should pop up but one of my primest of prime suspects making best efforts to corner the market on that particular title and prove my theory

What do I win?

[caldo2025]

The worst heavyweight champion ever probably had the most boring birthday party with the worlds worst cake that probably didn't even have frosting on it. People were going to go to his party but they decided to watch paint dry on a wall instead. I'm sure Wlad will be his highly entertaining self cracking jokes and being the life of the party though.

Who cares? Good riddance to the Goof that almost killed boxing.

touché.

That's going to be the title of my new book coming out. The Goof That Almost Killed Boxing. Tanzio will be referenced inside this book as Wlad's only fan or bobblehead owner. The Book will not contain any pictures, just mostly blank pages which i think would capture the career excitement level that Wlad brought to the sport. THE HUMAN SLEEPING AID

[Tanzio]

The worst heavyweight champion ever probably had the most boring birthday party with the worlds worst cake that probably didn't even have frosting on it. People were going to go to his party but they decided to watch paint dry on a wall instead. I'm sure Wlad will be his highly entertaining self cracking jokes and being the life of the party though.

Who cares? Good riddance to the Goof that almost killed boxing.

touché.

That's going to be the title of my new book coming out. The Goof That Almost Killed Boxing. Tanzio will be referenced inside this book as Wlad's only fan or bobblehead owner. The Book will not contain any pictures, just mostly blank pages which i think would capture the career excitement level that Wlad brought to the sport. THE HUMAN SLEEPING AID

"Just mostly blank pages" with the exception of those with crayon stick figures and examples of caldoh's finest fingerpainting work.

Make sure your mommy and daddy are home for the Joshua v Wlad fight. We would not want Current Scene's resident pea brain to do something silly to himself if Wlad pulls off the W.

[Asterix]

Perhaps, but he's been through two training camps since Fury loss. Even so, name another fighter who's been at the top of their game into their forties since 2000. Hopkins. Who else?

My point is that Wlad is not in that category yet.

Jobsworth.

Not really. You're just upset that I'm not fawning over Wlad. He has had a fantastic career, no doubt, but I see no point in going over the top with praise. I prefer to keep things realistic.