Could Joshua beat wilder now?

[crusader]

Comparisons with Price are reasonable; with the exception that there was plenty of evidence that Price's chin was suspect from the Amateur days. And he has a small head which never did bode well for a heavyweight.

Joshua has shown no signs of chinnyness, has a solid looking head, and has been more impressive power wise and skill wise.

I don't think he has more power punch-for-punch than Price does and I don't see how he's been more impressive skill-wise, as he's marched forward and overwhelmed people with his size, power, and agression rather than notable skill. Price, who actually has better technique in my opinion, has been significantly more hesitant and I think explains why he's failed to stop some of his victims and has been taken deeper into fights.

AJ certainly hasn't shown the vulnerability that Price did as an amateur, and I suspect that AJ is more durable and that this will lead to a noted difference their pro outcomes, but he was still stopped, dropped, and hurt on seperate occasions as an amateur, so he didn't evince the type durability that makes me gloss over the fact that he hasn't been hit with much yet. While he may in fact take a punch well, I don't see anything from his amateur days that would make me surprised if he ends up not being particularly durable as a pro.

As for whether he beats Wilder, the question of how AJ takes a shot remains, but I wouldn't be remotely surprised if he were able to take out Deontay, who is clearly chinny himself and flawed in many others ways, before that became an issue.

[Duffus91]

Absolutely, Joshua has to be tested before we can have any idea what he is capable of. Interesting that David Price now thinks after last nights fight he could beat Wilder. My view is he couldn't. Joshua needs some tough opposition before he is put in with somebody like Wilder. Its stupid to match him so hard at his stage.

I'm not sure if Price would beat Wilder - but I would suspect that the shots from Molina that rocked Wilder last night, if they had been coming from someone with the punch power of Price, he'd have ended up on his backside. That said, the question of whether or not Price would've been able to take the shots from Wilder first, would need to be answered.

Price reminds me a little of a younger Wlad in all fairness. Tremendous power, but a suspect chin. It's a real shame that after the first Tony Thompson fight, Price didn't go away and find himself a trainer who could've taught him about fighting behind that long reach, using the jab to tremendous effect a la Wlad.

In regards to AJ, it would maybe be a bit premature to say if he would beat Wilder, although I suspect on the evidence of last night he would, a lot more needs to be seen in regards as to whether or not he can take a punch.

[Tarkus]

After seen C level fat Mexican almost knocking him out it is obvious that any big, quality, punching heavy weight has a good chance to beat Wilder. I would pick Joshua over Wilder today without a hesitation.

[the_doctor]

Very few heavyweights can take clean shots easily - if a 17st professional puncher lands on your chin/temple, doesn't matter who you are, you're in trouble. Wlad has been wobbled, stopped etc and he's the undisputed champion in all but name.

AJ doesn't have to prove his chin (although if he does have a rock-solid jaw then you might as well just hand him the titles now) but he does have to prove that he has the technique to avoid getting hit cleanly, as does Wilder. If one lands flush on the other it's probably over so the question is who has the best defensive technique? Unfortunately we don't really know. Joshua hasn't had to show any defensive work at all so far, Wilder didn't have to do too much against a lethargic Stiverne or Molina.

I think you would have to make Wilder favourite at the moment but not by much and when/if Joshua shows he can handle someone with a bit more ambition then it sways in his favour.

[Tarkus]

I doubt Wlad or Joshua would be wobbled by Molina or taken 9 rounds.