BoxRec

He's fought outside Germany about 20 times in 20 years (so roughly once a year), and of his first four defenses three were in the US against American boxers. He later unified in the US, defended in Switzerland and Russia, and was going to fight Fury in the UK.

Really poor argumentation on your end.

crusader wrote:He's fought outside Germany about 20 times in 20 years (so roughly once a year), and of his first four defenses three were in the US against American boxers. He later unified in the US, defended in Switzerland and Russia, and was going to fight Fury in the UK.

Really poor argumentation on your end.

Just to play devils advocate:

He trained at the kronk and lived in the US, he still lives in the US, he's a German citizen and lives there too and is a Russian speaking Ukrainian from the former USSR. Fighting in the US, Germany and Russia sounds like being on the road but it's not quite the case. Russia and Switzerland (the land of neutrality) away from home yeah ok maybe (even thought his training camp was located in Switzerland for many years, and was at the time of the fight against a non Swiss fighter in Switzerland) but let's face it the guy relocated to the US to train with manny 20 years ago and spends half his time in the US with his hot US Mrs. they've been together for 8 years that's hardly fighting away from home when you have all the sanctioning bodies in your pocket and the fighter you are up against doesn't sell tickets.

I get your point about him being more mobile than most champions but the only time he has really fought away from home against a popular home fighter in recent years is against Povetkin.

Finn wrote:

crusader wrote:He's fought outside Germany about 20 times in 20 years (so roughly once a year), and of his first four defenses three were in the US against American boxers. He later unified in the US, defended in Switzerland and Russia, and was going to fight Fury in the UK.

Really poor argumentation on your end.

Just to play devils advocate:

He trained at the kronk and lived in the US, he still lives in the US, he's a German citizen and lives there too and is a Russian speaking Ukrainian from the former USSR. Fighting in the US, Germany and Russia sounds like being on the road but it's not quite the case. Russia and Switzerland (the land of neutrality) away from home yeah ok maybe (even thought his training camp was located in Switzerland for many years, and was at the time of the fight against a non Swiss fighter in Switzerland) but let's face it the guy relocated to the US to train with manny 20 years ago and spends half his time in the US with his hot US Mrs. they've been together for 8 years that's hardly fighting away from home when you have all the sanctioning bodies in your pocket and the fighter you are up against doesn't sell tickets.

I get your point about him being more mobile than most champions but the only time he has really fought away from home against a popular home fighter in recent years is against Povetkin.

Excellent post

Nice post, but misses the point because I was referring to the suggestion that he doesn't back himself against anyone decent outside of Germany. Further, your suggestion that him fighting in Russia doesn't count as him being on the road , simply because he speaks the langauge, is nonsensical ; does this mean that AJ wouldn't be on the road if he fought Parker in Auckland? Or that Haye would be at home fighting Wilder is Alabama? Ukrainian relations with Russia have been quite tense by the way....

Further, he wasnt particulary well-known in the US when he won his first title, he hadnt been living there for years or hooked up with Manny, and he didn't have a US celebrity girlfriend, yet he still made three of his first four defenses in America, and thus obviously outside Germany.

Finally, many fighters spend time training in other countries, but does that make these countries their home? I wouldn't say so.

Overall, Wlad has been very good at not insulating himself in Germany. British and American boxers seem to be able to stay at home without facing nearly as much criticism as Continental European based fighters do (just look at Killer Blow singling him out when AJ hasnt fought outside the UK once); a bit of a self-centered outlook maybe?

crusader wrote:Nice post, but misses the point because I was referring to the suggestion that he doesn't back himself against anyone decent outside of Germany. Further, your suggestion that him fighting in Russia doesn't count as him being on the road , simply because he speaks the langauge, is nonsensical ; does this mean that AJ wouldn't be on the road if he fought Parker in Auckland? Or that Haye would be at home fighting Wilder is Alabama? Ukrainian relations with Russia have been quite tense by the way....

Further, he wasnt particulary well-known in the US when he won his first title, he hadnt been living there for years or hooked up with Manny, and he didn't have a US celebrity girlfriend, yet he still made three of his first four defenses in America, and thus obviously outside Germany.

Finally, many fighters spend time training in other countries, but does that make these countries their home? I wouldn't say so.

Overall, Wlad has been very good at not insulating himself in Germany. British and American boxers seem to be able to stay at home without facing nearly as much criticism as Continental European based fighters do (just look at Killer Blow singling him out when AJ hasnt fought outside the UK once); a bit of a self-centered outlook maybe?

Excellent post!

crusader wrote:AJ showing no signs of leaving home for a big fight either....does he not fancy himself against someone good outside the UK? Afraid to face someone better than titty-boy Brezeale/Martin/Whyte/Johnson or Gary Cornish?

Wlad fought his top contenders for years, engaged in unifications, had title bouts in several countries, and even at 40 tried rematching the guy who last beat him. He may not have a style we all warmed to, but his willingness to fight the top guys out there is laudable, and boxing could do with more of it.

Well so far the opposition that Joshua has faced, he'd easily clear double money fighting in the UK. Klitchko is a different story. He can sell a fight anywhere in the world, because he is so high profile. However I don't think that there would be a problem Joshua fighting anywhere in the world providing that the money generated is competitive to the money made in the UK. The referee/ring is irrelevant with the fights Joshua has had because he's knocked out everyone so far.

The sticking point here is not the location, its the WBA mandating the fight. I think Joshua would fight in Germany if the money was good, which I think we all would agree it would be. Not sure which would generate a bigger purse though, either the UK or Germany.

Wlad probably makes more money fighting in Germany than anywhere else, he's a huge star there, and throughout eastern Europe and Russia.

He doesn't need to fight anywhere else, but chooses to do so - he's nothing like as big a draw in the U.S and if he fights there, loses all the TV money in the European market.

I think Wlad is an exemplar in modern boxing for not seeking home advantage all the time; he may be boring to watch, but let's give the devil his due.