Round-By-Round - Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko - April 29th 2017

[Ossyrules]

I think there is reason to be concerned. He has shown that he can be wobbled, as we saw against a pretty raw Whyte. And in order to be at the top, you do have to absorb a bit of punishment. He might be able to protect his chin, but against the likes of Wilder, not sure that'll be easy. Think it would have to be a stellar defensive performance to avoid Wilder for 12.

Really? Joshua will flatten Wilder in short order. Wilder is crap.

Well I'm not so sure. I can obviously make compelling arguments for Joshua, but they're only arguments for. Wilder's defence is pretty terrible, so he does take shots, but as far as I understand it he hasn't tasted the canvas so far. If I had a gun put to my head I would still back Joshua, but Wilder is an enigma. He at least has taken shots, which Joshua just has not.

Wilder has been in worse trouble than Joshua ever was against whyte

[Tuan_Jim]

I think there is reason to be concerned. He has shown that he can be wobbled, as we saw against a pretty raw Whyte. And in order to be at the top, you do have to absorb a bit of punishment. He might be able to protect his chin, but against the likes of Wilder, not sure that'll be easy. Think it would have to be a stellar defensive performance to avoid Wilder for 12.

Really? Joshua will flatten Wilder in short order. Wilder is crap.

Well I'm not so sure. I can obviously make compelling arguments for Joshua, but they're only arguments for. Wilder's defence is pretty terrible, so he does take shots, but as far as I understand it he hasn't tasted the canvas so far. If I had a gun put to my head I would still back Joshua, but Wilder is an enigma. He at least has taken shots, which Joshua just has not.

Wilder was down heavily against, of all people, Harold Sconiers. I'm sure the fight used to be on the internet but has since been erased. He was badly jolted vs Molina. His opponents say it all, he is a disaster-in-waiting. But probably Joshua is as well. Who lands first!

[Counter-puncher]

Joshua would absolutely brutalise Wilder. Wilder cannot punch off the back foot and I am absolutely positive Joshua would back him up from the start

[Rob3_142]

Really? Joshua will flatten Wilder in short order. Wilder is crap.

Well I'm not so sure. I can obviously make compelling arguments for Joshua, but they're only arguments for. Wilder's defence is pretty terrible, so he does take shots, but as far as I understand it he hasn't tasted the canvas so far. If I had a gun put to my head I would still back Joshua, but Wilder is an enigma. He at least has taken shots, which Joshua just has not.

Wilder was down heavily against, of all people, Harold Sconiers. I'm sure the fight used to be on the internet but has since been erased. He was badly jolted vs Molina. His opponents say it all, he is a disaster-in-waiting. But probably Joshua is as well. Who lands first!

To be fair I didn't genuinely know about Sconiers. And I think the wobble that Molina gave Wilder was probably on par with the wobble Whyte gave Joshua. But yes, whoever lands first. Which by the way I believe would be Joshua.

[Tuan_Jim]

Well I'm not so sure. I can obviously make compelling arguments for Joshua, but they're only arguments for. Wilder's defence is pretty terrible, so he does take shots, but as far as I understand it he hasn't tasted the canvas so far. If I had a gun put to my head I would still back Joshua, but Wilder is an enigma. He at least has taken shots, which Joshua just has not.

Wilder was down heavily against, of all people, Harold Sconiers. I'm sure the fight used to be on the internet but has since been erased. He was badly jolted vs Molina. His opponents say it all, he is a disaster-in-waiting. But probably Joshua is as well. Who lands first!

To be fair I didn't genuinely know about Sconiers. And I think the wobble that Molina gave Wilder was probably on par with the wobble Whyte gave Joshua. But yes, whoever lands first. Which by the way I believe would be Joshua.

Me too. Joshua does everything so much more fluidly. But I wouldn't bet a penny with Wilder out there windmilling his zany punches.

[Counter-puncher]

Joshua has some flaws but he is relatively compact and balanced for a 6'6 man. Wilders balance along with his wide punching is way too open

But that's just on the measurables. On the intangibles, Joshua has a killer attitude. For someone with the punching power he has i would say wilder fights with remarkable timidity. It's that element that makes me utterly convinced Joshua would own his soul in the ring. Intimidate him back him up, wobble him then brutally finish him.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Well I'm not so sure. I can obviously make compelling arguments for Joshua, but they're only arguments for. Wilder's defence is pretty terrible, so he does take shots, but as far as I understand it he hasn't tasted the canvas so far. If I had a gun put to my head I would still back Joshua, but Wilder is an enigma. He at least has taken shots, which Joshua just has not.

Wilder was down heavily against, of all people, Harold Sconiers. I'm sure the fight used to be on the internet but has since been erased. He was badly jolted vs Molina. His opponents say it all, he is a disaster-in-waiting. But probably Joshua is as well. Who lands first!

To be fair I didn't genuinely know about Sconiers. And I think the wobble that Molina gave Wilder was probably on par with the wobble Whyte gave Joshua. But yes, whoever lands first. Which by the way I believe would be Joshua.

Yes, that's the thing, the straight puncher will usually get there first. Jab jab, right cross, jab jab right cross, Wilder will be backed up early and his total lack of defence would mean an early night. I mean of course he could come rushing out and catch Joshua cold, but AJ is usually a pretty quick starter.

[Ossyrules]

I disagree with whoever says Wilder vs Molina trouble was equal to that of Joshua vs Whyte. Wilders legs were about 2 stages of going Zab Judah! But that's just my opinion.

Completely agree with those who say AJ straight punches hit Wilders chin before the big loopy Wilder right. Add into the fact AJ dominates fights with his boxing to set it up. Wilder seems to rely almost on keep swinging and eventually one lands when your opponent has switched off defensively

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2YRq60csk

[CaptainSpacerod]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2YRq60csk

Disinformation

[ElJefe]

Bit of clickbait that, obviously not a proper spar. Is that Eric Molina btw?

[wesshaw1985]

Olympians added to the card - http://www.BS.com/joshua-klits ... ed--115381

[KiwiRider]

That clip looked like a very sharp Wlad, dodging a lot of jabs. A bit disconcerting that he had his hands down for a lot of it. His sparring partner (I think it looks a bit like Molina too) was not throwing any uppercuts while Wlad bent at the waist moving side to side using his hips. Plus a lack of hooks to the body- something AJ puts together with his jab. Apart from that, his movement is very nice- no way is he going to be a stationary target for AJ to blast through.
50/50 fight.

[Oiky]

Dont think wlad looked that sharp tbh

[Tuan_Jim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2YRq60csk

I enjoyed the Supremes playing in the background. That always gets my adrenalin pumping.

[wesshaw1985]

Campbell vs. Perez added to the card...

[Rob3_142]

That clip looked like a very sharp Wlad, dodging a lot of jabs. A bit disconcerting that he had his hands down for a lot of it. His sparring partner (I think it looks a bit like Molina too) was not throwing any uppercuts while Wlad bent at the waist moving side to side using his hips. Plus a lack of hooks to the body- something AJ puts together with his jab. Apart from that, his movement is very nice- no way is he going to be a stationary target for AJ to blast through.
50/50 fight.

Don't think that Wlad looked that sharp either. When he has to balance offence and defence, he'll be an easier target. Don't forget, AJ doesn't generally go chasing people round the ring unless he's got his opposition rattled. He'll generally wait for the counter, and when he's got them on the back foot go to town. Question is what will happen when either throw something with general interest.

[Rob3_142]

Campbell vs. Perez added to the card...

I would argue that the card is shaping up to be not terrible. Plus I'm very keen to see the newbies in action.

[brian13]

Campbell vs. Perez added to the card...

Not a bad addition. Not expecting much Froch / Groves II wasn't the best card at all.

What is the chief support does any know?

[the_doctor]

That clip looked like a very sharp Wlad, dodging a lot of jabs. A bit disconcerting that he had his hands down for a lot of it. His sparring partner (I think it looks a bit like Molina too) was not throwing any uppercuts while Wlad bent at the waist moving side to side using his hips. Plus a lack of hooks to the body- something AJ puts together with his jab. Apart from that, his movement is very nice- no way is he going to be a stationary target for AJ to blast through.
50/50 fight.

Don't think that Wlad looked that sharp either. When he has to balance offence and defence, he'll be an easier target. Don't forget, AJ doesn't generally go chasing people round the ring unless he's got his opposition rattled. He'll generally wait for the counter, and when he's got them on the back foot go to town. Question is what will happen when either throw something with general interest.

I'd be massively impressed if Wlad can transition from the jab-and-grab master to a fluid, head-bobbing counter puncher.

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQozny6lxuQ

[wesshaw1985]

Showtime to air the fight live, HBO will show the fight on delay - http://www.BS.com/showtime-air ... st--115694

[Taansend]

It's being shown on Showtime over here.

Great news. If I can't find a bar I can watch it at home.

[Rob3_142]

Only the third fight in history to be shown on both. The other two were Mayweather/Pacquiao and Tyson/Lewis.

[crusader]

I wonder what type of numbers it will do in the US. Wlad's fights usually do well on HBO, although AJ's Showtime fights did quite low numbers.