Joushua Passed His First Test

[handsofstone]

Passed it with a few minors and one major.

As I have said elsewhere I wouldn't trust him with his current trainers

His trainer?? tell me lily how many of your kids are on Towie

His trainer is Rob McCracken, but they have to hide it because he works with the GB squad, Sims only really takes over on fight night or when the media are around.

Really? Nah im sure ive heard something about something or other but is that true and what makes you think this or am i the last to click on as per?

[tobyh5]

And while im at it can people stop whinging about Anthony being a bad guy trying to act nice,better that than other way around you bunch of cynical sods

Why not be true to who you are either way? At least it is honest. Fury may be a bit of a dick but he is who he is.

[Boxerbeetle]

Bookmark our difference of opinion here and revisit in the future when I am sure he gets KTFO

Virtually everyone gets KTFO out at some point. Doesn't mean they can't have a good career.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I've been reading that RBR thread and gave my head a good shake a few times.

Exciting, talented heavyweight gets a bit of hype.

British audience: Ho hum, look at all this hype! We hate that and must prove them wrong! That's our cue to denounce this fighter! We are watching a British-level contest! AJ exposed! Joshua getting found out! It's our role to hate winners! So Blah!

Forget the hype. Use your eyes. And your brain. And remember the tough early challenges that every single frigging top heavyweight in history had to come through.

[davie]

He got hurt, but came back to dominate and stop a live opponent. He needs fights like this. He needs rounds. He needs to develop. He by no means disgraced himself last night. He will have learnt so much from it and will have a lot to work on and improve on.

Anyone who thinks he's a bust after last night is full of poo. Remember when Haye got beat by Thompson, or Bruno got beat by Bonecrusher, or when Wlad ran into Ross Purity? Were they finished? No. They came back stronger and wiser, which Joshua will do.

I think part of the issue is the hype that has surrounded Joshua from day 1.
Hearn isn't simply assuming he'll win a title, he's telling the world he absolutely knows this guy is going to be a dominant, long reigning undisputed world champion.
Fans are constantly demanding he steps up, he gets rushed to world titles, he's ready now, he'd knock Fury and Klitschko out right now, it would even be competitive.

But......
Many fans, particularly on here have been more cautious, been there and seen it before and recognised that AJ has looked impressive, very impressive but against lower level opposition and many good fighters have looked good before coming up short at a higher level. AJ has a hell of a lot of questions to answer before he is hailed as the next Lennox Lewis.

And he answered many of those questions on Saturday night, he took a punch, he recovered well, he beat someone who was willing to hit him back, he showed he still carries power into the 7th round, he dealt with being on the back foot and dealt with an opponent who didn't shrink the second they were tagged.

But his performance raised as many questions as it answered. He got wobbled, he reacted the wrong way on more than one occasion, his skills didn't look as sublime as they often do when he's teeing off on a tomato can, he didn't walk straight through his opponent, although he lasted well, he showed that he does tire and that that heavy muscular frame will give him problems in a high intensity fight if he goes 12 rounds.

And yes, some people have said I told you so, because we did and we were fed up reading the hype.

But that doesn't mean we want him to fail and it doesn't mean we expect him to fail. It means we are realists who recognise fighters need to learn and gain experience. They need to answer all the big questions and make the odd mistake and most importantly learn from it. They need to be moved along at the right speed.

Some fighters look phenomenal and unstoppable early (see the regular David Price comparison) and come up short when they step up. Some look deeply flawed (see Tyson Fury) but develop, learn and progress to reach the very top.

No one's saying AJ wont make it, he certainly has all the tools, skills and physical attribute to reach the top.
What we are saying is he hasn't made it yet and there's still every chance he might come up short.

All the very best AJ, I hope you become undisputed world champion one day. but to those who tell us he's already there, tread carefully, you could be setting yourselves up for a disappointment

[Boxerbeetle]

For all we know, Whyte could end up being the #2 heavyweight after Joshua :geek2:

[expe]

His trainer?? tell me lily how many of your kids are on Towie

His trainer is Rob McCracken, but they have to hide it because he works with the GB squad, Sims only really takes over on fight night or when the media are around.

Really? Nah im sure ive heard something about something or other but is that true and what makes you think this or am i the last to click on as per?

Whyte mentioned it in the build up to the fight and apparently he's always in Sheffield too. IFL go down to Tony Sims' gym quite regularly filming bits of the fighters training, but never anything of Joshua, for a man that's supposedly so dedicated you'd expect them to catch him when he's in the gym at some stage.

[tobyh5]

He got hurt, but came back to dominate and stop a live opponent. He needs fights like this. He needs rounds. He needs to develop. He by no means disgraced himself last night. He will have learnt so much from it and will have a lot to work on and improve on.

Anyone who thinks he's a bust after last night is full of poo. Remember when Haye got beat by Thompson, or Bruno got beat by Bonecrusher, or when Wlad ran into Ross Purity? Were they finished? No. They came back stronger and wiser, which Joshua will do.

I think part of the issue is the hype that has surrounded Joshua from day 1.
Hearn isn't simply assuming he'll win a title, he's telling the world he absolutely knows this guy is going to be a dominant, long reigning undisputed world champion.
Fans are constantly demanding he steps up, he gets rushed to world titles, he's ready now, he'd knock Fury and Klitschko out right now, it would even be competitive.

But......
Many fans, particularly on here have been more cautious, been there and seen it before and recognised that AJ has looked impressive, very impressive but against lower level opposition and many good fighters have looked good before coming up short at a higher level. AJ has a hell of a lot of questions to answer before he is hailed as the next Lennox Lewis.

And he answered many of those questions on Saturday night, he took a punch, he recovered well, he beat someone who was willing to hit him back, he showed he still carries power into the 7th round, he dealt with being on the back foot and dealt with an opponent who didn't shrink the second they were tagged.

But his performance raised as many questions as it answered. He got wobbled, he reacted the wrong way on more than one occasion, his skills didn't look as sublime as they often do when he's teeing off on a tomato can, he didn't walk straight through his opponent, although he lasted well, he showed that he does tire and that that heavy muscular frame will give him problems in a high intensity fight if he goes 12 rounds.

And yes, some people have said I told you so, because we did and we were fed up reading the hype.

But that doesn't mean we want him to fail and it doesn't mean we expect him to fail. It means we are realists who recognise fighters need to learn and gain experience. They need to answer all the big questions and make the odd mistake and most importantly learn from it. They need to be moved along at the right speed.

Some fighters look phenomenal and unstoppable early (see the regular David Price comparison) and come up short when they step up. Some look deeply flawed (see Tyson Fury) but develop, learn and progress to reach the very top.

No one's saying AJ wont make it, he certainly has all the tools, skills and physical attribute to reach the top.
What we are saying is he hasn't made it yet and there's still every chance he might come up short.

All the very best AJ, I hope you become undisputed world champion one day. but to those who tell us he's already there, tread carefully, you could be setting yourselves up for a disappointment

Well said, articulated most of what I think

[Finn]

Reacted badly? He was momentarily stunned by a perfect left hook. Recovered in five seconds. Paced himself a bit thereafter which is understandable, fought intelligently, stepped it up, won every round bar one and nearly decapitated the guy in the 7th, finishing the job with precision. What more can you possibly ask?

I have a feeling this test is all Joshua needed to prove he's going all the way because I don't think Whyte is a slouch. Time will tell, but if Whyte isn't too ruined by this he could come again.

I agree with everything you say here. What the fvck were these other people watching?

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

[davie]

I've been reading that RBR thread and gave my head a good shake a few times.

Exciting, talented heavyweight gets a bit of hype.

British audience: Ho hum, look at all this hype! We hate that and must prove them wrong! That's our cue to denounce this fighter! We are watching a British-level contest! AJ exposed! Joshua getting found out! It's our role to hate winners! So Blah!

Forget the hype. Use your eyes. And your brain. And remember the tough early challenges that every single frigging top heavyweight in history had to come through.

I think that is what we've been doing before now. Not buying the hype, which has perhaps caused the reaction many have had. The told you so's and the likes, because so many on here and elsewhere have bought the hype and bullshit and rammed it down our throats

I used my eyes and brain and viewed the fight and saw a fighter who still has imperfections, is not yet a world class heavyweight and not just technically but in how he reacts during the fight and responds to knocks in the ring.
But I also know that that is part of the learning and growing experience that is required to become that top level heavyweight.

[davie]

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

I'd have Anthony in a couple more learning fights, exactly as Mallignaggi said, at the level he's at, before I went to even European level against Teper or Helenius, or Stiverne for that matter. (not that I think that level is unwinnable for AJ right now, but certainly a risk and a step too quick right now.)

You're spot on, I'd pick Pulev to beat the AJ we saw at the weekend, Povetkin or Haye (if still the same fighter) would have found the target and starched him, Wlad would have punched holes in him and Fury would have boxed the ears off him.

He's going to be 2 years minimum and 5 fights before Id think about a world title challenge.

[Finn]

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

I'd have Anthony in a couple more learning fights, exactly as Mallignaggi said, at the level he's at, before I went to even European level against Teper or Helenius, or Stiverne for that matter. (not that I think that level is unwinnable for AJ right now, but certainly a risk and a step too quick right now.)

You're spot on, I'd pick Pulev to beat the AJ we saw at the weekend, Povetkin or Haye (if still the same fighter) would have found the target and starched him, Wlad would have punched holes in him and Fury would have boxed the ears off him.

He's going to be 2 years minimum and 5 fights before Id think about a world title challenge.

Agreed I think helenius and teper are very dangerous but AJ would be In with a good chance. Dillian Whyte on the other hand would not beat them imo.

[jamiem26]

His trainer?? tell me lily how many of your kids are on Towie

His trainer is Rob McCracken, but they have to hide it because he works with the GB squad, Sims only really takes over on fight night or when the media are around.

Really? Nah im sure ive heard something about something or other but is that true and what makes you think this or am i the last to click on as per?

There's a lot of talk that he still goes up to Sheffield and does some work with McCracken. He said himself last week that he still has contact with the Team GB coaches - it would be pretty strange if he didn't tbh.

I'm not sure how anyone could call him AJ's "trainer" though seeing as he has zero involvement on fight night - a pretty important time!

[davie]

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

I'd have Anthony in a couple more learning fights, exactly as Mallignaggi said, at the level he's at, before I went to even European level against Teper or Helenius, or Stiverne for that matter. (not that I think that level is unwinnable for AJ right now, but certainly a risk and a step too quick right now.)

You're spot on, I'd pick Pulev to beat the AJ we saw at the weekend, Povetkin or Haye (if still the same fighter) would have found the target and starched him, Wlad would have punched holes in him and Fury would have boxed the ears off him.

He's going to be 2 years minimum and 5 fights before Id think about a world title challenge.

Agreed I think helenius and teper are very dangerous but AJ would be In with a good chance. Dillian Whyte on the other hand would not beat them imo.

Ah, picked you up wrong, thought you were talking about AJ

[witherspoon]

I just got back from a weekend in Lancs where I ended alone in my mates house while she and the other half went to a party. i caught the whole card live on Polish satellite at no cost
Anyway, before I even skim this thread I want to post my views, as they stand with no influence from Sky comments or other posters.
I really enjoyed the fight. It was in fact pretty one-sided but the fact that Joshua is so far completely untested meant that the suspense factor was ramped up considerably after he got buzzed.
My first thought when Joshua got tagged was 'Jumbo Cummings!'. But I think that Joshua overcame his Jumbo moment well enough, all things considered. He did seeem pretty tentative for a couple of rounds afterwards, but I think that his confidence in his ability to take a punch will be much higher now.
I was genuinely surprised that Joshua came up with the KO. I was absolutely certain that he would be found out by the first decent heavy to take him past 6 rounds. I never thought that White had a chance to win, he never seemed to get his legs back under him after the first round. But I fully expected AJ to plod through the rest of the fight and win a dull ud completely exhausted at the end.
I was impressed with Joshua's level of stamina. I just could never see him going 12 rounds and I have told everyone I know that he will come a cropper if he ever has to fight a long, competitive fight. I'm not fully convinced yet, but I have a bit more respect now for those who think that Joshua is the real deal.

[tobyh5]

I wonder which will be exposed first, his character deficiencies or ring ones.

[Lenny]

Fantastic learning fight. Joshua has learnt he can't jump all over people in the first round and finish everyone and adapted well. He's learnt what it's like to be hit flush by someone who wants to win and should now learn he has to move that big flipping body a bit more. He's learnt that he still has power halfway through a fight fought at a pretty decent pace for the big lads. Went for the early win, punched himself out a bit and got through it. He passed a test that Price failed.

Lots of improving to do but I still don't see too many fighters I would back against him now. I actually think Povetkin might be tougher for him than Fury. Fury's movement won't be as effective against someone who is always looking to throw combinations as it was against Wlad's single shots.

I also quite like the bit of nasty behind the media friendly smile.

And reading some of the comments of him being found out. Once again thank fack the internet wasn't around after Lewis v Chanet

[the_doctor]

Am I the only one who doesn't really care if Joshua is putting up a front to the cameras?

Perhaps he wants to try and be a good role model to kids growing up in rough surroundings, to show that you can turn your life around if you get your head down and work hard? Sure, the mask slips every now and again (he should have given Whyte credit after the fight), but if that's what he's trying to do, is that really such a bad thing?

It's something footballers in particular get a lot of stick for, they act like pricks while being idolized by youngsters, so I'd be delighted if a (potentially) huge superstar was trying to do the opposite.

[MarkMcBurney]

I just got back from a weekend in Lancs where I ended alone in my mates house while she and the other half went to a party. i caught the whole card live on Polish satellite at no cost
Anyway, before I even skim this thread I want to post my views, as they stand with no influence from Sky comments or other posters.
I really enjoyed the fight. It was in fact pretty one-sided but the fact that Joshua is so far completely untested meant that the suspense factor was ramped up considerably after he got buzzed.
My first thought when Joshua got tagged was 'Jumbo Cummings!'. But I think that Joshua overcame his Jumbo moment well enough, all things considered. He did seeem pretty tentative for a couple of rounds afterwards, but I think that his confidence in his ability to take a punch will be much higher now.
I was genuinely surprised that Joshua came up with the KO. I was absolutely certain that he would be found out by the first decent heavy to take him past 6 rounds. I never thought that White had a chance to win, he never seemed to get his legs back under him after the first round. But I fully expected AJ to plod through the rest of the fight and win a dull ud completely exhausted at the end.
I was impressed with Joshua's level of stamina. I just could never see him going 12 rounds and I have told everyone I know that he will come a cropper if he ever has to fight a long, competitive fight. I'm not fully convinced yet, but I have a bit more respect now for those who think that Joshua is the real deal.

He might still do - Whyte is poor. If he was in anything like the shape that David Price, for example, fights in, he'd have got AJ out in round two but he was gassed from the onslaught that followed the left hook.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Fantastic learning fight. Joshua has learnt he can't jump all over people in the first round and finish everyone and adapted well. He's learnt what it's like to be hit flush by someone who wants to win and should now learn he has to move that big flipping body a bit more. He's learnt that he still has power halfway through a fight fought at a pretty decent pace for the big lads. Went for the early win, punched himself out a bit and got through it. He passed a test that Price failed.

Lots of improving to do but I still don't see too many fighters I would back against him now. I actually think Povetkin might be tougher for him than Fury. Fury's movement won't be as effective against someone who is always looking to throw combinations as it was against Wlad's single shots.

I also quite like the bit of nasty behind the media friendly smile.

And reading some of the comments of him being found out. Once again thank fack the internet wasn't around after Lewis v Chanet

[Bard of Boxrec]

I think that is what we've been doing before now. Not buying the hype, which has perhaps caused the reaction many have had. The told you so's and the likes, because so many on here and elsewhere have bought the hype and bullshit and rammed it down our throats

I used my eyes and brain and viewed the fight and saw a fighter who still has imperfections, is not yet a world class heavyweight and not just technically but in how he reacts during the fight and responds to knocks in the ring.
But I also know that that is part of the learning and growing experience that is required to become that top level heavyweight.

I see it more as some people acting like this because of the hype, not despite it. They feel they must prove the hype wrong at all costs to legitimise their claim of superior knowledge to those nefarious armchair fans who are so belligerent in their insistence that *shock* Joshua can beat Fury!

It's almost like some people don't understand why a young, exciting, powerful Olympic Gold-winning heavyweight is ALWAYS GOING TO BE HYPED BY ITS NETWORK and no amount of 'but does he really live up to it' is in any way relevant to why it is happening.

[nitro5912]

I think he passed a couple of tests for a fighter at this stage of his career. It was his 15th fight, the same number fury had when he won the british title and 4years before he fought for a world belt.

Biggest test was how he would react to being caught flush, he stumbled,was scrambled but recovered and ended up flat for a round or so. But he didn't look uncomfortable, 2 major factors probably why, he was fighting the 1st round emotionally and threw a lot. so got caught and got a little gunshy because of it.Secondly, whyte was trying to chop the tree down with body shots which on a frame like AJ's must take damage easily.

What I was impressed with was how in round 4/5 he went back to basics of the old 1/2 down the pipe and using his reach to keep whyte at bay. He stopped looking for the big 1 punch but waited for the chance to come up which it did and he smelt blood and took it.

hearn can say what he likes but AJ needs more fights, personally id like to see him take his time. maybe beat chisora & one other to win the Lonsdale outright, then go EBU before a fringe world like Pulev,Stiverne before facing whoever is the title holder.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He got hurt, but came back to dominate and stop a live opponent. He needs fights like this. He needs rounds. He needs to develop. He by no means disgraced himself last night. He will have learnt so much from it and will have a lot to work on and improve on.

Anyone who thinks he's a bust after last night is full of poo. Remember when Haye got beat by Thompson, or Bruno got beat by Bonecrusher, or when Wlad ran into Ross Purity? Were they finished? No. They came back stronger and wiser, which Joshua will do.

I thought that he answered a lot of questions. My main concern over his stamina, seemed not entirely dismissed, but he's certainly got decent at worst stamina, as that was a fairly high intensity fight.

His temperament seems solid, when the fight turned against him, he was able to cope mentally.

He seemed disciplined too, he was a little wild in the middle rounds of the fight, but got back to his gameplan.

Most of all, his chin seems dependable, he got hit with a few full blooded shots in there, and whilst he was hurt, he recovered well, and certainly does not seem chinny.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

I'd have Anthony in a couple more learning fights, exactly as Mallignaggi said, at the level he's at, before I went to even European level against Teper or Helenius, or Stiverne for that matter. (not that I think that level is unwinnable for AJ right now, but certainly a risk and a step too quick right now.)

You're spot on, I'd pick Pulev to beat the AJ we saw at the weekend, Povetkin or Haye (if still the same fighter) would have found the target and starched him, Wlad would have punched holes in him and Fury would have boxed the ears off him.

He's going to be 2 years minimum and 5 fights before Id think about a world title challenge.

I think Joshua would have a fair shot against Fury now, - I think we shall see in time that the win over Wlad, flattered to deceive. He came up with a winning formula and executed a fight plan which got the win, but with absolutely minimal actual punches landed.

Joshua is a more natural fighter than Wlad, he isn't afraid to get stuck in, and whilst you can see that as a bad thing, it's also an asset as he is able to rebound when things get tough.

As green as Joshua is, his hands are very heavy (though not as heavy as his early fights suggested, but this is as to be expected), and he hurts with everything he lands, and also seems to have serious killer instinct.

It may sound insane to suggest that he might be ready for Fury already, (not that i'm suggesting they make that fight yet) - but styles make fights, and I think Joshua has all the assets to make Fury pay heavily. I don't think he'd let Fury pick, poke and showboat, and in a war, no way Fury comes out on top.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I think the difference is that you're basing your opinion on Dillian Whyte being a high calibre opponent. I don't believe he is. He's a novice who can punch a bit. Maybe that will change in the future but right now he couldn't beat guys like helenius or teper. You couldn't even mention AJ and Whyte fighting guys like pulev, Stivern or povetkin. And them being mentioned in the same breath as Haye, wlad and fury is pure ludicrous.

Hopefully this will be a wake up call the Hearn and he will have AJ working on his weaknesses rather than rushing into a summer showdown with David Haye who would have ironed him with relative ease.

I'd have Anthony in a couple more learning fights, exactly as Mallignaggi said, at the level he's at, before I went to even European level against Teper or Helenius, or Stiverne for that matter. (not that I think that level is unwinnable for AJ right now, but certainly a risk and a step too quick right now.)

You're spot on, I'd pick Pulev to beat the AJ we saw at the weekend, Povetkin or Haye (if still the same fighter) would have found the target and starched him, Wlad would have punched holes in him and Fury would have boxed the ears off him.

He's going to be 2 years minimum and 5 fights before Id think about a world title challenge.

I think Joshua would have a fair shot against Fury now, - I think we shall see in time that the win over Wlad, flattered to deceive. He came up with a winning formula and executed a fight plan which got the win, but with absolutely minimal actual punches landed.

Joshua is a more natural fighter than Wlad, he isn't afraid to get stuck in, and whilst you can see that as a bad thing, it's also an asset as he is able to rebound when things get tough.

As green as Joshua is, his hands are very heavy (though not as heavy as his early fights suggested, but this is as to be expected), and he hurts with everything he lands, and also seems to have serious killer instinct.

It may sound insane to suggest that he might be ready for Fury already, (not that i'm suggesting they make that fight yet) - but styles make fights, and I think Joshua has all the assets to make Fury pay heavily. I don't think he'd let Fury pick, poke and showboat, and in a war, no way Fury comes out on top.

Good post. Not insane to pick Josh in the slightest.