Is Joshua the best Heavyweight ever

[Thomastearns]

Whether AJ is the best heavyweight of all time remains to be seen. He's certainly got a lot to do. He's not as immobile as our beloved Frank Bruno was, but this is 2018 and British heavyweight boxing has learnt a lot from the great American champions.

What we might find out soon is whether he's the best currently. He must be close as he seems to the better all round boxer than both Fury and Wilder.

Anthony Joshua is a modern day Frank Bruno, and that is no joke for any opponent.

[DrDuke]

Is Wuuupa another Kalan's fake account or what?

[candyslim]

So then this thread should be renamed "Is it theoretically possible that AJ will later be seen as the greatest ever?"

Works for me.

I don't see it as too implausible, although he has a very long way to go.

[candyslim]

Whether AJ is the best heavyweight of all time remains to be seen. He's certainly got a lot to do. He's not as immobile as our beloved Frank Bruno was, but this is 2018 and British heavyweight boxing has learnt a lot from the great American champions.

What we might find out soon is whether he's the best currently. He must be close as he seems to the better all round boxer than both Fury and Wilder.

Anthony Joshua is a modern day Frank Bruno, and that is no joke for any opponent.

No disrespect to Frank but his winning a version of the title doesn't alter the fact that he was at best a formidable contender, one of those with a seat at the top table. He wasn't a genuine champion in terms of levels.

Can you see Joshua getting into trouble against the likes of Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings, or coming up short against James "Bonecrusher" Smith,? I'll leave Tim witherspoon out of it for the moment. Joshua is already way ahead of Frank.

[oogiebe]

Whether AJ is the best heavyweight of all time remains to be seen. He's certainly got a lot to do. He's not as immobile as our beloved Frank Bruno was, but this is 2018 and British heavyweight boxing has learnt a lot from the great American champions.

What we might find out soon is whether he's the best currently. He must be close as he seems to the better all round boxer than both Fury and Wilder.

Anthony Joshua is a modern day Frank Bruno, and that is no joke for any opponent.

No disrespect to Frank but his winning a version of the title doesn't alter the fact that he was at best a formidable contender, one of those with a seat at the top table. He wasn't a genuine champion in terms of levels.

Can you see Joshua getting into trouble against the likes of Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings, or coming up short against James "Bonecrusher" Smith,? I'll leave Tim witherspoon out of it for the moment. Joshua is already way ahead of Frank.

It is way too difficult to consider a fighter an ATG when he is still fighting. I remember all the talk about Mike Tyson being the GOAT during the early part of his championship run, and look what happened. I'm not saying AJ won't be considered the GOAT or an ATG, I'm saying let the guy finish his career before we crown him.

[Lackeos]

OP who's been part of the forum for one day asks with his poll -- "Who is the best heavyweight of all time? Is it Oleksandr Usyk?" Man, get the f*ck out of here.

At least the poll isn't missing Ali and Lewis. But I think this sort of poll should include Foreman, Holmes, Louis, Bowe, Holyfield, and Marciano before you start dropping silly names like Usyk.

Like, are we seriously going to crown Usyk the greatest heavyweight of all-time before he even beats one heavyweight? I'm reminded of a completely outlandish Futurama quote, but apparently reality is stranger than fiction -- "Now, just as the man who wishes to be world chess champion must win at least one game of chess, so must you serve at least one edible meal (to become the greatest chef of all time)." I feel like we're holding greatest heavyweights of all-time to the same standard as soundcloud rappers. Like... if you want to be a platinum-selling rapper, you have to at least be capable of mumbling 3 words repeatedly and dying your hair. If you want to be the greatest heavyweight of all-time, you have to at least have 0 or 1 wins against heavyweights who may or may not even be top 100 in the current scene. Come on, man! To be the GREATEST EVER, you have to do more than the second greatest ever did -- which means you have to have SEVERAL wins against other top 10 all-time heavyweights. Dozens of heavyweight title defenses in which you pitch 120-107 shutouts. And that's only a starting point to get your name on the poll. Like... Wladimir defended 4 belts for 9 years while pitching shut outs and KO's in virtually every single fight; and you have to do better than that to even be in the discussion.

[RScarf1]

I’m surprised that there is a topic debating about whether Joshua is the best ever. He almost lost to a past his prime Wladimir. He’s better than Bruno because I think he would have done better against Tyson than Bruno did. I don’t think Joshua could beat a prime Tyson though. Mainly though, Joshua cannot be considered the best of all time or even the best of this time because he has not beaten the best out there now such as Fury and Wilder.

[ewenhay]

Whether AJ is the best heavyweight of all time remains to be seen. He's certainly got a lot to do. He's not as immobile as our beloved Frank Bruno was, but this is 2018 and British heavyweight boxing has learnt a lot from the great American champions.

What we might find out soon is whether he's the best currently. He must be close as he seems to the better all round boxer than both Fury and Wilder.

Anthony Joshua is a modern day Frank Bruno, and that is no joke for any opponent.

Yeah there's a lot of similarities. Definitely more the second coming of Bruno than the second coming of Lewis.

Even if he beats Fury and Wilder he'll never be ranked amongst the top guys. Whilst it's an interesting era it's definitely a very weak one.

[gilgamesh]

Whether AJ is the best heavyweight of all time remains to be seen. He's certainly got a lot to do. He's not as immobile as our beloved Frank Bruno was, but this is 2018 and British heavyweight boxing has learnt a lot from the great American champions.

What we might find out soon is whether he's the best currently. He must be close as he seems to the better all round boxer than both Fury and Wilder.

Anthony Joshua is a modern day Frank Bruno, and that is no joke for any opponent.

Yeah there's a lot of similarities. Definitely more the second coming of Bruno than the second coming of Lewis.

Even if he beats Fury and Wilder he'll never be ranked amongst the top guys. Whilst it's an interesting era it's definitely a very weak one.

If he beats Fury and Wilder and keeps on reigning for another 4 or 5 years without a loss he may well rank as one of the all time greats.

It's not as weak an era as the Klitschko era was.

[candyslim]

I’m surprised that there is a topic debating about whether Joshua is the best ever. He almost lost to a past his prime Wladimir. He’s better than Bruno because I think he would have done better against Tyson than Bruno did. I don’t think Joshua could beat a prime Tyson though. Mainly though, Joshua cannot be considered the best of all time or even the best of this time because he has not beaten the best out there now such as Fury and Wilder.

Ok but in the interests of balance it was probably post-prime Wlad against pre-prime AJ wouldn't you say?

There's no arguing that 41 is ancient in boxing terms but I saw a Klitschko who looked in better physical shape than he looked agaist Fury and demonstrating greater motivation and absolute determination to win than ... than ... well, than ever really.

[HeavyHitters]

Wait...!! What about Ike Ibeabuchi!?

[ajwesty13]

He's not as gifted technically and is pretty flat footed at times . A bit fomanesque a decent HW .. the divs getting a bit lively which is great .. think usyk will be the last man standing

[oogiebe]

Wait...!! What about Ike Ibeabuchi!?

LMFAO!

[candyslim]

Ike may have eaten a few goats in his time but I'm sure he wouldn't claim to be the Heavyweight one

[oogiebe]

Ike may have eaten a few goats in his time but I'm sure he wouldn't claim to be the Heavyweight one

Ouch! I get it, but I wish I didn't...

[candyslim]

They are especially nice in a curry.

[oogiebe]

They are especially nice in a curry.

Love curry goat and oxtail soup! So we agree there.

[Wuuupa]

OP who's been part of the forum for one day asks with his poll -- "Who is the best heavyweight of all time? Is it Oleksandr Usyk?" Man, get the f*ck out of here.

At least the poll isn't missing Ali and Lewis. But I think this sort of poll should include Foreman, Holmes, Louis, Bowe, Holyfield, and Marciano before you start dropping silly names like Usyk.

Like, are we seriously going to crown Usyk the greatest heavyweight of all-time before he even beats one heavyweight? I'm reminded of a completely outlandish Futurama quote, but apparently reality is stranger than fiction -- "Now, just as the man who wishes to be world chess champion must win at least one game of chess, so must you serve at least one edible meal (to become the greatest chef of all time)." I feel like we're holding greatest heavyweights of all-time to the same standard as soundcloud rappers. Like... if Holyfieto be a platinum-selling rapper, you have to at least be capable of mumbling 3 words repeatedly and dying your hair. If you want to be the greatest heavyweight of all-time, you have to at least have 0 or 1 wins against heavyweights who may or may not even be top 100 in the current scene. Come on, man! To be the GREATEST EVER, you have to do more than the second greatest ever did -- which means you have to have SEVERAL wins against other top 10 all-time heavyweights. Dozens of heavyweight title defenses in which you pitch 120-107 shutouts. And that's only a starting point to get your name on the poll. Like... Wladimir defended 4 belts for 9 years while pitching shut outs and KO's in virtually every single fight; and you have to do better than that to even be in the discussion.

Foreman is arguably the most iverrated Boxer ever. He is so overrated that some have him inside a top 15 of a p4p list of atg. This shows you how much people talk about boxing but dont study boxing like i do. Foreman, a slow footed technicly limited stamina middle class boxer, who had a non punching non defending ali infront of him not capable of knocking him out, because he was to limited and stupid to let the right shots go. Solar plexus liver uppercuts follow up, this wouldve got ali out inside 7!

Louis, marciano too small

Bowe, holyfield not on lewis level, so why include them

Wlad, 0 chin and he cheated greco roman wrestling is not a part of boxing and was good at beating blown up cruiserweight or b level, his brother wouldve wupped him bad, cause his brother had equal punching power but was taller and had what some say the best chin any heavyweight ever had, so why includ wlad

Holmes was good at beating up old people or b level opponents, prime tyson showed him he didnt belong in the discussion for HW #1 ever

Usyk is so freakishly good, if the extra muscles do him good at heavyweight sky the limit

[oogiebe]

OP who's been part of the forum for one day asks with his poll -- "Who is the best heavyweight of all time? Is it Oleksandr Usyk?" Man, get the f*ck out of here.

At least the poll isn't missing Ali and Lewis. But I think this sort of poll should include Foreman, Holmes, Louis, Bowe, Holyfield, and Marciano before you start dropping silly names like Usyk.

Like, are we seriously going to crown Usyk the greatest heavyweight of all-time before he even beats one heavyweight? I'm reminded of a completely outlandish Futurama quote, but apparently reality is stranger than fiction -- "Now, just as the man who wishes to be world chess champion must win at least one game of chess, so must you serve at least one edible meal (to become the greatest chef of all time)." I feel like we're holding greatest heavyweights of all-time to the same standard as soundcloud rappers. Like... if Holyfieto be a platinum-selling rapper, you have to at least be capable of mumbling 3 words repeatedly and dying your hair. If you want to be the greatest heavyweight of all-time, you have to at least have 0 or 1 wins against heavyweights who may or may not even be top 100 in the current scene. Come on, man! To be the GREATEST EVER, you have to do more than the second greatest ever did -- which means you have to have SEVERAL wins against other top 10 all-time heavyweights. Dozens of heavyweight title defenses in which you pitch 120-107 shutouts. And that's only a starting point to get your name on the poll. Like... Wladimir defended 4 belts for 9 years while pitching shut outs and KO's in virtually every single fight; and you have to do better than that to even be in the discussion.

Foreman is arguably the most iverrated Boxer ever. He is so overrated that some have him inside a top 15 of a p4p list of atg. This shows you how much people talk about boxing but dont study boxing like i do. Foreman, a slow footed technicly limited stamina middle class boxer, who had a non punching non defending ali infront of him not capable of knocking him out, because he was to limited and stupid to let the right shots go. Solar plexus liver uppercuts follow up, this wouldve got ali out inside 7!

Louis, marciano too small

Bowe, holyfield not on lewis level, so why include them

Wlad, 0 chin and he cheated greco roman wrestling is not a part of boxing and was good at beating blown up cruiserweight or b level, his brother wouldve wupped him bad, cause his brother had equal punching power but was taller and had what some say the best chin any heavyweight ever had, so why includ wlad

Holmes was good at beating up old people or b level opponents, prime tyson showed him he didnt belong in the discussion for HW #1 ever

Usyk is so freakishly good, if the extra muscles do him good at heavyweight sky the limit

Pretty self-serving post indeed. You seem to be making plenty of friends here.

[Wuuupa]

OP who's been part of the forum for one day asks with his poll -- "Who is the best heavyweight of all time? Is it Oleksandr Usyk?" Man, get the f*ck out of here.

At least the poll isn't missing Ali and Lewis. But I think this sort of poll should include Foreman, Holmes, Louis, Bowe, Holyfield, and Marciano before you start dropping silly names like Usyk.

Like, are we seriously going to crown Usyk the greatest heavyweight of all-time before he even beats one heavyweight? I'm reminded of a completely outlandish Futurama quote, but apparently reality is stranger than fiction -- "Now, just as the man who wishes to be world chess champion must win at least one game of chess, so must you serve at least one edible meal (to become the greatest chef of all time)." I feel like we're holding greatest heavyweights of all-time to the same standard as soundcloud rappers. Like... if Holyfieto be a platinum-selling rapper, you have to at least be capable of mumbling 3 words repeatedly and dying your hair. If you want to be the greatest heavyweight of all-time, you have to at least have 0 or 1 wins against heavyweights who may or may not even be top 100 in the current scene. Come on, man! To be the GREATEST EVER, you have to do more than the second greatest ever did -- which means you have to have SEVERAL wins against other top 10 all-time heavyweights. Dozens of heavyweight title defenses in which you pitch 120-107 shutouts. And that's only a starting point to get your name on the poll. Like... Wladimir defended 4 belts for 9 years while pitching shut outs and KO's in virtually every single fight; and you have to do better than that to even be in the discussion.

Foreman is arguably the most iverrated Boxer ever. He is so overrated that some have him inside a top 15 of a p4p list of atg. This shows you how much people talk about boxing but dont study boxing like i do. Foreman, a slow footed technicly limited stamina middle class boxer, who had a non punching non defending ali infront of him not capable of knocking him out, because he was to limited and stupid to let the right shots go. Solar plexus liver uppercuts follow up, this wouldve got ali out inside 7!

Louis, marciano too small

Bowe, holyfield not on lewis level, so why include them

Wlad, 0 chin and he cheated greco roman wrestling is not a part of boxing and was good at beating blown up cruiserweight or b level, his brother wouldve wupped him bad, cause his brother had equal punching power but was taller and had what some say the best chin any heavyweight ever had, so why includ wlad

Holmes was good at beating up old people or b level opponents, prime tyson showed him he didnt belong in the discussion for HW #1 ever

Usyk is so freakishly good, if the extra muscles do him good at heavyweight sky the limit

Pretty self-serving post indeed. You seem to be making plenty of friends here.

Dont you disagree with your friends sometimes?
Its about boxing discussions not picnic

[RScarf1]

I’m surprised that there is a topic debating about whether Joshua is the best ever. He almost lost to a past his prime Wladimir. He’s better than Bruno because I think he would have done better against Tyson than Bruno did. I don’t think Joshua could beat a prime Tyson though. Mainly though, Joshua cannot be considered the best of all time or even the best of this time because he has not beaten the best out there now such as Fury and Wilder.

Ok but in the interests of balance it was probably post-prime Wlad against pre-prime AJ wouldn't you say?

There's no arguing that 41 is ancient in boxing terms but I saw a Klitschko who looked in better physical shape than he looked agaist Fury and demonstrating greater motivation and absolute determination to win than ... than ... well, than ever really.

I think AJ was in his prime agewise when he fought Wlad. I don't think he has improved that much since then. We never saw Wlad fight against Fury in the rematch which was cancelled twice. I think Wlad was very motivated then and he was a little younger. I think that version of Wlad would have beaten AJ. Regarding George Foreman, he mentioned that there was something in the drink he was given before his fight with Ali. I think that he was not at his best because of that. That's in Foreman's book. If people consider Foreman a top 15 all-time heavyweight, I think they are looking at all of his accomplishments such as his comeback 10 years later and then beating Michael Moorer. If Ali was not forced to vacate his title and be off for 3 years because of the Vietnam War, we would have seen him in his best prime and I think there would not be any debate about who is the best heavyweight. In my opinion, AJ has to beat either Wilder or Fury to even be in a discussion on whether he belongs in the top 15 all-time heavyweights.

[oogiebe]

I’m surprised that there is a topic debating about whether Joshua is the best ever. He almost lost to a past his prime Wladimir. He’s better than Bruno because I think he would have done better against Tyson than Bruno did. I don’t think Joshua could beat a prime Tyson though. Mainly though, Joshua cannot be considered the best of all time or even the best of this time because he has not beaten the best out there now such as Fury and Wilder.

Ok but in the interests of balance it was probably post-prime Wlad against pre-prime AJ wouldn't you say?

There's no arguing that 41 is ancient in boxing terms but I saw a Klitschko who looked in better physical shape than he looked agaist Fury and demonstrating greater motivation and absolute determination to win than ... than ... well, than ever really.

I think AJ was in his prime agewise when he fought Wlad. I don't think he has improved that much since then. We never saw Wlad fight against Fury in the rematch which was cancelled twice. I think Wlad was very motivated then and he was a little younger. I think that version of Wlad would have beaten AJ. Regarding George Foreman, he mentioned that there was something in the drink he was given before his fight with Ali. I think that he was not at his best because of that. That's in Foreman's book. If people consider Foreman a top 15 all-time heavyweight, I think they are looking at all of his accomplishments such as his comeback 10 years later and then beating Michael Moorer. If Ali was not forced to vacate his title and be off for 3 years because of the Vietnam War, we would have seen him in his best prime and I think there would not be any debate about who is the best heavyweight. In my opinion, AJ has to beat either Wilder or Fury to even be in a discussion on whether he belongs in the top 15 all-time heavyweights.

Ali beat both Frazier AND Foreman AND Liston..., so AJ would need to beat both Fury AND Wilder. IMHO.

[candyslim]

All in good time Oogie. Who knows, in a few years people could be saying "Ok so he knocked out old man Wilder who couldn't box, and Tyson Fury who was always susceptible to a big punch, let's see how he copes with Hrgovic and Ajagba before we start comparing him with the greats"

@RScarf1 Sorry but I'm going to file Foreman's water bottle tampering fantasy alongside Deontay's broken arm. Fighter's need to find explanations for their defeats mainly for their own consumption rather than anyone else's. It's so much easier to swallow than "He is better than me". If it works for them I guess we shouldn't discourage it.

[ajwesty13]

No

[candyslim]

Well that settles it then