Did Wlad deliberately let Joshua get away?

[David.skold]

No.

[candyslim]

First of all I'm very much AJ's man and in no way a conspiracy theorist, but I have to admit that this thought had occurred to me. In that fifth round my mood switched suddenly from excitement and general satisfaction at how Joshua had got himself on top, to extreme worry as realization dawned as to how he had punched himself out.

In the sixth especially and in the seventh and eighth, Joshua was I believe, there for the taking and I thought Wlad felt he had deactivated AJ and had the fight won. No need to humiliate his "little bro" in front of his 90,000 adoring fans, now he is no longer any threat. Joshua looked out on his feet and the steam appeared to have gone from his punches, I saw no way back for him and I don't imagine Wlad did either. I was thinking he's lost his title but he will have learned more in this fight than the rest all put together. Not for one moment am I suggesting that Wlad threw the fight deliberately but he may have fallen victim to overconfidence or complacency.

Of course that might be pure fantasy and maybe Wlad was himself too knackered to capitalize on his winning position, but it was how it looked to me at the time, and not from any kind of pro-Klitschko viewpoint.

[lazboy]

First of all I'm very much AJ's man and in no way a conspiracy theorist, but I have to admit that this thought had occurred to me. In that fifth round my mood switched suddenly from excitement and general satisfaction at how Joshua had got himself on top, to extreme worry as realization dawned as to how he had punched himself out.

In the sixth especially and in the seventh and eighth, Joshua was I believe, there for the taking and I thought Wlad felt he had deactivated AJ and had the fight won. No need to humiliate his "little bro" in front of his 90,000 adoring fans, now he is no longer any threat. Joshua looked out on his feet and the steam appeared to have gone from his punches, I saw no way back for him and I don't imagine Wlad did either. I was thinking he's lost his title but he will have learned more in this fight than the rest all put together. Not for one moment am I suggesting that Wlad threw the fight deliberately but he may have fallen victim to overconfidence or complacency.

Of course that might be pure fantasy and maybe Wlad was himself too knackered to capitalize on his winning position, but it was how it looked to me at the time, and not from any kind of pro-Klitschko viewpoint.

Appreciate some of these points. I thought Joshua was gone, that he wasn't going to recover. Wlad had the pressure on him. Both mental and physical (in his face and throwing punches). Testament to AJ's prep, fitness and mental strength. His body language completely changed in the 9th or 10th, he got his second wind and it was alive again. Again i didnt anticipate this, Wlad prob didnt. and then bang, he took a risk (AJ). He was getting beat, went for it, a good quality we havnt seen in mainstream fights lately and got him out of there. But no, it wasn't deliberate.

[crusader]

I don't think he decided that he wasn't going to stop him, but he's not one to push very hard and take many chances (e.g. getting caught; punching himself out) for a kill. I think he may have also seen how weary AJ was, and favoured his chances of nicking the remaining rounds and winning a decision.

If he had pushed harder I think his chances of a stoppage would've been good

[Bard of Boxrec]

Of course not, he's just well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to.

That was Wlad's best performance for years, if ever...

He's well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to. The fight being exciting doesn't change that and anyone with any intelligence can see that.

What he used to? That's funny. You mean back in the golden age of wlad when he was throwing 11 jabs a round vs haye? or gassing badly and losing vs Brewster? Or falling apart against Sam Peter?

Saturday night was the first time ever he proved he could hang with a legitimate threat. It was his best performance ever. If you think not, the invitation remains for you to come up with a fight in which he demonstrated more. Can't do it? Didn't think so.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I don't think he decided that he wasn't going to stop him, but he's not one to push very hard and take many chances (e.g. getting caught; punching himself out) for a kill. I think he may have also seen how weary AJ was, and favoured his chances of nicking the remaining rounds and winning a decision.

If he had pushed harder I think his chances of a stoppage would've been good

Just what I said, Wlad isn't a pressure fighter.. Maybe he once was, but he's more laid back in the ring.

[danconnollyeire]

Wlad never seemed to be the type to jump on a guy when he had him hurt. Looked like his standard approach. Perhaps a little hubris though. I am pretty sure he felt like eventually he was going to hit him with something big again and he would go, no need to rush it.

He did say he could have done more but he thought that Joshua was finished at that point, and just about everyone watching the fight thought the same...but here is how Wlad used to finish fights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN-dqE2LgC4

When he was much younger, fresher and quicker than now/ And NOT after visiting canvas in the previous round and having his gas tank half empty after brilliant effort he gave us in the second half of fifth round.

AJ was the hardest puncher Wlad has even fought, he was always worried to attack too much and rightly so

[punchoutsb]

That was Wlad's best performance for years, if ever...

He's well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to. The fight being exciting doesn't change that and anyone with any intelligence can see that.

What he used to? That's funny. You mean back in the golden age of wlad when he was throwing 11 jabs a round vs haye? or gassing badly and losing vs Brewster? Or falling apart against Sam Peter?

Saturday night was the first time ever he proved he could hang with a legitimate threat. It was his best performance ever. If you think not, the invitation remains for you to come up with a fight in which he demonstrated more. Can't do it? Didn't think so.

Just because you're blinded by irrational hatred (remember how Wlad's experience meant nothing? ) doesn't mean everyone else is. Wlad has fought many "legitimate threats", it's just this is the first time he's not dominated them. Wlad is a fantastic finisher, and he has proven that throughout his career. He may have used more variation against Joshua, but prime Wlad stops him in the sixth if not earlier likely without getting in trouble himself. I know you won't be able to see this since your jealousy of Wladimir Klitschko's success has left you bitter, tainted, sad and pathetic.

[crusader]

'Um'

[Bard of Boxrec]

He's well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to. The fight being exciting doesn't change that and anyone with any intelligence can see that.

What he used to? That's funny. You mean back in the golden age of wlad when he was throwing 11 jabs a round vs haye? or gassing badly and losing vs Brewster? Or falling apart against Sam Peter?

Saturday night was the first time ever he proved he could hang with a legitimate threat. It was his best performance ever. If you think not, the invitation remains for you to come up with a fight in which he demonstrated more. Can't do it? Didn't think so.

Just because you're blinded by irrational hatred (remember how Wlad's experience meant nothing? ) doesn't mean everyone else is. Wlad has fought many "legitimate threats", it's just this is the first time he's not dominated them. Wlad is a fantastic finisher, and he has proven that throughout his career. He may have used more variation against Joshua, but prime Wlad stops him in the sixth if not earlier likely without getting in trouble himself. I know you won't be able to see this since your jealousy of Wladimir Klitschko's success has left you bitter, tainted, sad and pathetic.

Didn't think so

Also, you seem remarkably angry and upset. I'm sorry you're so sad Wlad lost, but if you didn't notice I actually was trying to pay him respect for turning in the best performance of his career at his age. So I'm struggling to see how I'm so jealous of Wlad's success.

I've actually been hoping for a night like this to happen where he finally reveals why he is so highly rated historically by so many people, and I'm glad for him. Believe it or not

[hoagylt]

Of course not, he's just well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to.

I agree he had him for almost two entire rounds but let him off. He did not have the energy. Also people say Joshua has a weak chin ? This is obviously b/s , I am not sure anyone else would have been able to get up after a picture perfect right hand from arguably the hardest one punch heavy ever. Joshua showed a lot.

[crusader]

He's well past his best and couldn't muster what he used to. The fight being exciting doesn't change that and anyone with any intelligence can see that.

What he used to? That's funny. You mean back in the golden age of wlad when he was throwing 11 jabs a round vs haye? or gassing badly and losing vs Brewster? Or falling apart against Sam Peter?

Saturday night was the first time ever he proved he could hang with a legitimate threat. It was his best performance ever. If you think not, the invitation remains for you to come up with a fight in which he demonstrated more. Can't do it? Didn't think so.

Just because you're blinded by irrational hatred (remember how Wlad's experience meant nothing? ) doesn't mean everyone else is. Wlad has fought many "legitimate threats", it's just this is the first time he's not dominated them. Wlad is a fantastic finisher, and he has proven that throughout his career. He may have used more variation against Joshua, but prime Wlad stops him in the sixth if not earlier likely without getting in trouble himself. I know you won't be able to see this since your jealousy of Wladimir Klitschko's success has left you bitter, tainted, sad and pathetic.

Blowe hates Wlad so much that at one point he was even hyping Chisora to beat him

And apparently there was no way Price would lose to Wlad, and bumbling Ortiz would beat any version of him.

Yet, when someone actually does beat Wlad comfortably, it's all 'that guy is shit and cant box'. I think Blowe was anticipating that his hero AJ would beat the old guy far more easily than the shitty guy did!

[Bard of Boxrec]

Yet, when someone actually does beat Wlad comfortably, it's all 'that guy is poo and cant box'. I think Blowe was anticipating that his hero AJ would beat the old guy far more easily than the shitty guy did!

I think you'll find it's not just me that ranks Joshua's win over Wlad as better than Fury's one. Maybe you should take a look at how that poll is doing, eh?

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211287

Not just me who doesn't appreciate two statues staring at each other for 36 agonising minutes.

Also not just me who thinks the Wlad of Saturday night would have beaten Fury too.

[punchoutsb]

What he used to? That's funny. You mean back in the golden age of wlad when he was throwing 11 jabs a round vs haye? or gassing badly and losing vs Brewster? Or falling apart against Sam Peter?

Saturday night was the first time ever he proved he could hang with a legitimate threat. It was his best performance ever. If you think not, the invitation remains for you to come up with a fight in which he demonstrated more. Can't do it? Didn't think so.

Just because you're blinded by irrational hatred (remember how Wlad's experience meant nothing? ) doesn't mean everyone else is. Wlad has fought many "legitimate threats", it's just this is the first time he's not dominated them. Wlad is a fantastic finisher, and he has proven that throughout his career. He may have used more variation against Joshua, but prime Wlad stops him in the sixth if not earlier likely without getting in trouble himself. I know you won't be able to see this since your jealousy of Wladimir Klitschko's success has left you bitter, tainted, sad and pathetic.

Didn't think so

Also, you seem remarkably angry and upset. I'm sorry you're so sad Wlad lost, but if you didn't notice I actually was trying to pay him respect for turning in the best performance of his career at his age. So I'm struggling to see how I'm so jealous of Wlad's success.

I've actually been hoping for a night like this to happen where he finally reveals why he is so highly rated historically by so many people, and I'm glad for him. Believe it or not

I'm not at all angry or upset. I'm simply pointing out how sad and pathetic it is for a grown man (I assume) to hate someone he's never met simply because he's jealous of his success.

41 year old, 18 month inactive close to 4 years removed from his prime Wlad was unable to finish AJ when he got him hurt; you want an example of when he was able to finish someone he hurt? Take your pick, there are 53 fights to choose from. The fact you think AJ is the only "legitimate threat" he ever faced shows how blinded by spite and jealousy you are. Sad man. Just sad.

[Controversial]

To answer the question, no of course not. Klit said in one interview that he made a mistake of not trying to finish it but he was confident he was winning the fight so he took his time.

[crusader]

Yet, when someone actually does beat Wlad comfortably, it's all 'that guy is poo and cant box'. I think Blowe was anticipating that his hero AJ would beat the old guy far more easily than the shitty guy did!

I think you'll find it's not just me that ranks Joshua's win over Wlad as better than Fury's one. Maybe you should take a look at how that poll is doing, eh?

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211287

Not just me who doesn't appreciate two statues staring at each other for 36 agonising minutes.

Also not just me who thinks the Wlad of Saturday night would have beaten Fury too.

Polls, eh? How about this one? The numbers aren't as close...

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211267

[punchoutsb]

Yet, when someone actually does beat Wlad comfortably, it's all 'that guy is poo and cant box'. I think Blowe was anticipating that his hero AJ would beat the old guy far more easily than the shitty guy did!

I think you'll find it's not just me that ranks Joshua's win over Wlad as better than Fury's one. Maybe you should take a look at how that poll is doing, eh?

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211287

Not just me who doesn't appreciate two statues staring at each other for 36 agonising minutes.

Also not just me who thinks the Wlad of Saturday night would have beaten Fury too.

Polls, eh? How about this one? The numbers aren't as close...

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211267

He just quoted a poll that is tied as his proof? oh man it's worse than I thought

[Bard of Boxrec]

Just because you're blinded by irrational hatred (remember how Wlad's experience meant nothing? ) doesn't mean everyone else is. Wlad has fought many "legitimate threats", it's just this is the first time he's not dominated them. Wlad is a fantastic finisher, and he has proven that throughout his career. He may have used more variation against Joshua, but prime Wlad stops him in the sixth if not earlier likely without getting in trouble himself. I know you won't be able to see this since your jealousy of Wladimir Klitschko's success has left you bitter, tainted, sad and pathetic.

Didn't think so

Also, you seem remarkably angry and upset. I'm sorry you're so sad Wlad lost, but if you didn't notice I actually was trying to pay him respect for turning in the best performance of his career at his age. So I'm struggling to see how I'm so jealous of Wlad's success.

I've actually been hoping for a night like this to happen where he finally reveals why he is so highly rated historically by so many people, and I'm glad for him. Believe it or not

I'm not at all angry or upset. I'm simply pointing out how sad and pathetic it is for a grown man (I assume) to hate someone he's never met simply because he's jealous of his success.

41 year old, 18 month inactive close to 4 years removed from his prime Wlad was unable to finish AJ when he got him hurt; you want an example of when he was able to finish someone he hurt? Take your pick, there are 53 fights to choose from. The fact you think AJ is the only "legitimate threat" he ever faced shows how blinded by spite and jealousy you are. Sad man. Just sad.

Wlad not finishing Joshua in the 6th when he had his chance says little about his fitness being markedly weaker than his 'prime' and a lot more about past demons. Save for a few big swings immediately after the knockdown, he visably stood off. He knew what would happen if he couldn't get AJ out of there, because his stamina issues are a fixture of his career, they weren't something new to him. And no reference to Wlad managing to stop bums in the past changes that.

What was wrong with his fitness when he came back heroically from being knocked down in the fifth, to almost win in that round? Newsflash: Wlad has ALWAYS had stamina worries, and he actually fought at a decent pace in this fight!

If you think that was a Wlad that was 'well past it', I don't know what to tell you. They both fought their hearts out, Wlad nearly wins, and you take from all this that Wlad must be shot. You apparently didn't notice the man's performance. That's what's sad.

[punchoutsb]

Didn't think so

Also, you seem remarkably angry and upset. I'm sorry you're so sad Wlad lost, but if you didn't notice I actually was trying to pay him respect for turning in the best performance of his career at his age. So I'm struggling to see how I'm so jealous of Wlad's success.

I've actually been hoping for a night like this to happen where he finally reveals why he is so highly rated historically by so many people, and I'm glad for him. Believe it or not

I'm not at all angry or upset. I'm simply pointing out how sad and pathetic it is for a grown man (I assume) to hate someone he's never met simply because he's jealous of his success.

41 year old, 18 month inactive close to 4 years removed from his prime Wlad was unable to finish AJ when he got him hurt; you want an example of when he was able to finish someone he hurt? Take your pick, there are 53 fights to choose from. The fact you think AJ is the only "legitimate threat" he ever faced shows how blinded by spite and jealousy you are. Sad man. Just sad.

Wlad not finishing Joshua in the 6th when he had his chance says little about his fitness being markedly weaker than his 'prime' and a lot more about past demons. Save for a few big swings immediately after the knockdown, he visably stood off. He knew what would happen if he couldn't get AJ out of there, because his stamina issues are a fixture of his career, they weren't something new to him. And no reference to Wlad managing to stop bums in the past changes that.

What was wrong with his fitness when he came back heroically from being knocked down in the fifth, to almost win in that round? Newsflash: Wlad has ALWAYS had stamina worries, and he actually fought at a decent pace in this fight!

If you think that was a Wlad that was 'well past it', I don't know what to tell you. They both fought their hearts out, Wlad nearly wins, and you take from all this that Wlad must be shot. You apparently didn't notice the man's performance. That's what's sad.

I never once mentioned Wlad's fitness. Wlads fitness is only slightly diminshed because he is a true professional who takes his craft seriously. It was his timing, precision, power that has diminished with his age and inactivity.

Wlad is a GREAT heavyweight. The fact that he almost beat AJ DESPITE his obvious slide (which has been noticeable for YEARS now) speaks levels, levels that you are unwilling to accept because of your bias, jealousy, and hatred. You'd think this would be clear to everyone, but apparently you'd rather believe that a 20+ year vet who has the third most title defenses in history suddenly came into his prime at 41 years old following 18 months of inactivity coming off the back of several poor performances before that

[Bard of Boxrec]

I think you'll find it's not just me that ranks Joshua's win over Wlad as better than Fury's one. Maybe you should take a look at how that poll is doing, eh?

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211287

Not just me who doesn't appreciate two statues staring at each other for 36 agonising minutes.

Also not just me who thinks the Wlad of Saturday night would have beaten Fury too.

Polls, eh? How about this one? The numbers aren't as close...

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211267

He just quoted a poll that is tied as his proof? oh man it's worse than I thought

It was 15-13 to Joshua when I posted that, what a remarkable burst of votes :)

[punchoutsb]

Polls, eh? How about this one? The numbers aren't as close...

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=211267

He just quoted a poll that is tied as his proof? oh man it's worse than I thought

It was 15-13 to Joshua when I posted that, what a remarkable burst of votes :)

Oh wow, so it was previously two whole votes difference? My gawd, you've proven your point!

[Bard of Boxrec]

He just quoted a poll that is tied as his proof? oh man it's worse than I thought

It was 15-13 to Joshua when I posted that, what a remarkable burst of votes :)

Oh wow, so it was previously two whole votes difference? My gawd, you've proven your point!

My point was "As any intelligent person would understand" that it is not universally accepted that Fury's masterclass in the hot shoe shuffle was a better win than Joshua's war, as you seem to be so convinced of.

[Bard of Boxrec]

It was his timing, precision, power that has diminished with his age and inactivity.

And yet all of these were on point in this fight.

Confirmed. You didn't notice the man's performance

[punchoutsb]

It was his timing, precision, power that has diminished with his age and inactivity.

And yet all of these were on point in this fight.

Confirmed. You didn't notice the man's performance

They were clearly diminished from his best form. Confirmed. Your jealousy doesn't permit you to think rationally.

[Bard of Boxrec]

It was his timing, precision, power that has diminished with his age and inactivity.

And yet all of these were on point in this fight.

Confirmed. You didn't notice the man's performance

They were clearly diminished from his best form. Confirmed. Your jealousy doesn't permit you to think rationally.

How on earth is that confirmed? Clearly diminished? Christ.