How Badly Does Boxing Need AJ to Win Saturday?

[caldo2025]

At this point in time, Boxing finally has a heavyweight boxer as THE kingpin of the sport. Some would still argue that Canelo still holds that position but most of the top analysts predict that Canelo will never recover from the failed tests. The sport is in Anthony Joshua's hands now and he couldn't have a better opportunity to remove all doubts this weekend. If AJ can claim another belt in another dazzling performance in front of a packed house of fans hanging from the rafters then it's not up for debate. Anthony Joshua is Boxing's face and top draw.

BUT WHAT IF HE LOSES?

Has anyone given that thought any consideration? Scary isn't it? I think that it would be horrible for the sport and muck up the order of things all over again. There's so much more riding on this fight and we all have something at stake regardless of your rooting interests. Most of us look forward to Joshua to entertain us for years to come but a loss tomorrow and we've got a very different landscape in Boxing.

Am i wrong? Am i putting too much stock into this fight?

[world ranked]

Only if it sets up a Wilder-Joshua fight neither can be the face of boxing unless they fight each other one of the few fights that can touch beyond boxing for that reason only to me is why he needs to win.

[greg]

..would be a setback mostly for him and his team..other than that, I don't see any negative impact on the boxing worldwide..The loss of that magic zero on Joshua's record might make him more flexible negotiating future deals as well as more willing to travel..I'd say it's rather good than bad for boxing..

[ewenhay]

..would be a setback mostly for him and his team..other than that, I don't see any negative impact on the boxing worldwide..The loss of that magic zero on Joshua's record might make him more flexible negotiating future deals as well as more willing to travel..I'd say it's rather good than bad for boxing..

Absolutely. Fighters beating each other at the top level is good for boxing.

[Mexi-Box]

It doesn't. Boxing needed Canelo/GGG: II badly.

[lazboy]

I guess it depends on the manner of the defeat. Does AJ lose honourably? You can be valiant in defeat.

I would say boxing fans with a history of the sport and reasonable people would be accepting of a loss. It happens. It’s life. We are all losers at some point. No ones perfect.

However.....we currently live in a sick society where people will target and tear you down if you let down their expectations. Expectations brought about by hype. By ignorance of the sport. Superficial things (AJ is to big and sculptured to lose). Without doing a societal analysis...and I’m just making a general statement....but are we obsessed with perfection.

I like rooting for the underdog where I can. I like the way Parker presents himself and will be hoping he can at least put up a good fight but I think it would be better for boxing is AJ wins.

[KiwiRider]

A loss never hurt Ali's career did it?
If Parker pulls it off in a big way, the rematch is huge. If AJ wins the rematch he is the star again an the Wilder fight will still be massive.
Ask Eddie, and he will say it's all good while he rubs his hands together..

[oogiebe]

It doesn't. Boxing needed Canelo/GGG: II badly.

No...boxing DIDN'T need Canelo's failed test. very damaging.

[Best Coast]

British boxing DEFINITELY needs an AJ win on Saturday. If he doesnt those packed stadiums of 90,000 fans will probably be cut in half (40-50,000) and his TV popularity will probably dwindle as well. Unfortunately, though Britain has lots of good fighters right now there nobody with enough of a high profile to fill AJ's oversized boots.

An AJ loss could possibly hurt European boxing somewhat, but will have no effect in Asia, Latin America or the US. Until AJ fights in the US he wont be very well known.

[Kalan]

British boxing DEFINITELY needs an AJ win on Saturday. If he doesnt those packed stadiums of 90,000 fans will probably be cut in half (40-50,000) and his TV popularity will probably dwindle as well. Unfortunately, though Britain has lots of good fighters right now there nobody with enough of a high profile to fill AJ's oversized boots.

An AJ loss could possibly hurt European boxing somewhat, but will have no effect in Asia, Latin America or the US. Until AJ fights in the US he wont be very well known.

Nothing wrong with drawing 50,000 fans... Ali couldn't sell out the Astrodome... But I don't think anything would dwindle... Joshua would win the rematch and go forward and beat Wilder, Povetkin, Haye, Ortiz, Ruiz etc.

It's not the end if the top guy loses.... It happens... It's no different than Joe Louis, Lennox Lewis, or Mike Tyson losing out of the blue... That's why you never bet more than 5% of your capital in any particular account on any fight.

Because this is Boxing. You get nailed... When a fist hits a chin a lot of weird things happen to highly favored fighters.

[world ranked]

It doesn't. Boxing needed Canelo/GGG: II badly.

Not more than it needs two undefeated heavyweights.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I dont think a loss is a catastrophe. One loss wont kill his popularity especially if its a good fight.