BoxRec

Joshua KOs Klitschko: The Night That Saved Boxing Boxing was a dying sport for years. The rock bottom moment was last year: A female UFC fight far out-sold the best boxing matches in the world. But everything changed tonight in London. Boxing has been re-born in electrifying fashion. Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko contested one of the most thrilling world heavyweight fights in history.





In just his 19th professional outing Joshua rose to another level of excellence tonight as he somehow survived the brink of disaster and defeat in round six. After a slow start suddenly Joshua floored Klitschko early in the fifth round with a brutal combination but he underestimated his fuel tank (or over-celebrated the knockdown) and looked completely exhausted in the next rounds as Klitschko unleashed his heavy artillery – reminiscent of the Foreman vs Lyle epic brawl – but as we have seen so many times the 41 year old “Dr Steelhammer” could not finish the job because of his greatest strength and perhaps flaw: over-carefulness.





The 28 year old Joshua willed his way into the later rounds – not unlike Thomas Hearns vs Sugar Ray Leonard. The TV cameras showed a brief glimpse of Klitschko’s wife (Hayden Pannatierre) and her surprisingly candid expression showed major concern. She somehow knew this fight was far from over. The best action indeed was yet to come. Saving his best for last Joshua erupted suddenly again by landing heavy connects early in the eleventh.





The “obsessed” Klitschko (who looked better and quicker than any over-40 year old heavyweight in history) had never dug deeper than we saw tonight and he would be forced to again. Joshua floored the mighty former champion twice in the eleventh. Twice Klitschko got up and tried his very best to fulfill his self-made prophesy and “obsession” to regain his lost titles. But it was not to be. Joshua showed sensational killer instinct and finished the job as referee David Fields stepped in and saved Klitschko from the indignity of a ten-count knockout.





The sport of boxing has staged countless unforgettable historic superfights over a century and this one tonight will be added to the grand list. Over ninety-thousand awed observers watched these two immortal gladiators fight for the “richest prize in sport.” Joshua and Klitschko gave everything they had and more and for certain this fight will spark boxing into a new golden era. Joshua and Klitschko both showed class and honor and nobility beyond anything we may have ever seen. After the fight Joshua humbly held up Klitschko’s hand and saluted the man he conquered for his impeccable example as a role model and a great champion. It called to mind the scene in the film “The Champion” when James J. Corbett went to visit John L. Sullivan the night he took his titles to tell him what a great champion he was and how much he respected him. Class and honor beyond anything we’ve seen in years in boxing.



Even the gigantic crowd inside the stadium added to the drama as they also were first class in how they viewed and participated in the fight. Interestingly I did not hear one single boo of Klitschko the entire evening. Now that is RESPECT. And Joshua obviously respects Klitschko’s legend and I would guess he also realizes and is grateful that Klitschko’s fierce challenge also contributed largely to make Joshua special tonight. Like Roberto Duran made Ray Leonard extra special on June 20 1980 – tonight the old master and mentor Wladimir Klitschko assisted to create boxing’s next dominant heavyweight super champion. And his name is Anthony Joshua. –By Scoop Malinowski

more respect to WK tonight than any of his best wins he lost but he won I was surprised that there were no boos for WK all night That's class

boxing always #1

Kovalev stopping Ward will finish the saving.

Cool read, thanks for sharing this

Good fight ... not a great fight by any means ... but better than most ...

Sequitorian wrote:Good fight ... not a great fight by any means ... but better than most ...

Wrong.

Horse wrote:

Sequitorian wrote:Good fight ... not a great fight by any means ... but better than most ...

Wrong.

Right! ... a good, but not great, fight ... see my other thread on why great heavyweight fights are a thing of the past ...

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THis fight was GREAT it was Foreman-Lyle Hearns-SRL Hagler-Hearns Vitali-LL and Creed-Balboa all rolled into one!

nice read, and glad that Wlad is getting the respect that he more than deserved throughout his years.

Great post op

boxing_rocks wrote:Kovalev stopping Ward will finish the saving.

Don't hold your breath. He couldn't do it in 12 rounds already, won't do it this time either. Especially if he is still scared shitless of fighting inside.

Great OP.
We were on the edge of our seats from round 5 onwards. The punch that floored AJ I've seen Wlad land in the past and at least 2 guys never got up after it.
It made up for Manny Vs Floyd as far as super fights go.
There will always be rasberry blowers.
Wlad was too old- but he came on strong in the later rounds
Wlad lost his power- but he put AJ in lala land for a round and a half
Etc etc.
best Wlad I've seen in years. To beat him like that is an achievement.

montrealsuper wrote:Joshua KOs Klitschko: The Night That Saved Boxing Boxing was a dying sport for years. The rock bottom moment was last year: A female UFC fight far out-sold the best boxing matches in the world. But everything changed tonight in London. Boxing has been re-born in electrifying fashion. Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko contested one of the most thrilling world heavyweight fights in history.

In just his 19th professional outing Joshua rose to another level of excellence tonight as he somehow survived the brink of disaster and defeat in round six. After a slow start suddenly Joshua floored Klitschko early in the fifth round with a brutal combination but he underestimated his fuel tank (or over-celebrated the knockdown) and looked completely exhausted in the next rounds as Klitschko unleashed his heavy artillery – reminiscent of the Foreman vs Lyle epic brawl – but as we have seen so many times the 41 year old “Dr Steelhammer” could not finish the job because of his greatest strength and perhaps flaw: over-carefulness.

The 28 year old Joshua willed his way into the later rounds – not unlike Thomas Hearns vs Sugar Ray Leonard. The TV cameras showed a brief glimpse of Klitschko’s wife (Hayden Pannatierre) and her surprisingly candid expression showed major concern. She somehow knew this fight was far from over. The best action indeed was yet to come. Saving his best for last Joshua erupted suddenly again by landing heavy connects early in the eleventh.

The “obsessed” Klitschko (who looked better and quicker than any over-40 year old heavyweight in history) had never dug deeper than we saw tonight and he would be forced to again. Joshua floored the mighty former champion twice in the eleventh. Twice Klitschko got up and tried his very best to fulfill his self-made prophesy and “obsession” to regain his lost titles. But it was not to be. Joshua showed sensational killer instinct and finished the job as referee David Fields stepped in and saved Klitschko from the indignity of a ten-count knockout.

The sport of boxing has staged countless unforgettable historic superfights over a century and this one tonight will be added to the grand list. Over ninety-thousand awed observers watched these two immortal gladiators fight for the “richest prize in sport.” Joshua and Klitschko gave everything they had and more and for certain this fight will spark boxing into a new golden era. Joshua and Klitschko both showed class and honor and nobility beyond anything we may have ever seen. After the fight Joshua humbly held up Klitschko’s hand and saluted the man he conquered for his impeccable example as a role model and a great champion. It called to mind the scene in the film “The Champion” when James J. Corbett went to visit John L. Sullivan the night he took his titles to tell him what a great champion he was and how much he respected him. Class and honor beyond anything we’ve seen in years in boxing.

Even the gigantic crowd inside the stadium added to the drama as they also were first class in how they viewed and participated in the fight. Interestingly I did not hear one single boo of Klitschko the entire evening. Now that is RESPECT. And Joshua obviously respects Klitschko’s legend and I would guess he also realizes and is grateful that Klitschko’s fierce challenge also contributed largely to make Joshua special tonight. Like Roberto Duran made Ray Leonard extra special on June 20 1980 – tonight the old master and mentor Wladimir Klitschko assisted to create boxing’s next dominant heavyweight super champion. And his name is Anthony Joshua. –By Scoop Malinowski

Scoop Malinowski is as full of crap as he always is... Boxing is alive, well -- and legal in all 50 states and thriving in many more countries than ever before... Some Heavyweight Champions were thrown in jail for Boxing in previous times, including Dempsey and Johnson.. But was Joshua vs Klitschko a bigger and better event than Holmes vs Ali... Charles vs Louis... Clay vs Liston... Johnson vs Jeffries... Corbett vs Sullivan... Tyson vs Holmes??? ... Of course it was -- because most of those old farts didn't put up a fight...

Who GAF if MMA is a popular sport??? It just adds to the popularity of Boxing because it's a combat sport. Duran had nothing but ill will towards Leonard. Ray raised his hands in victory after the final bell and Duran gave him a hateful shove -- then he quit in the rematch... You think that was a high point for Boxing??? And I heard boos of Klitschko as he entered the arena.. Why not??? If you've never been booed you've never played sports at a high level.. Malinowski is one of those idiots who picked Klitschko to win.

I've heard boos as well when he entered the arena and when he showed up at the weight in as well.
Somehow after the fight he did receive an applause he earned.

I was there. Totally inaccurate to say no booing.

Wlad got booed HUGELY every time his face came up on screen during the under card and build up, during his ring walk and continually during the Ukrainian anthem.

He did however get massive love and respect at the end.

Kalan wrote: Who GAF if MMA is a popular sport??? It just adds to the popularity of Boxing because it's a combat sport.

MMA is a disease ...

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This fight was bigger than any Ali fight actually as far as live gate - and the excite factor was better than any Ali fight - Ali vs Joe and George and Norton and Liston were good fights but did not have the knockdowns and incredible action of WK vs AJ - this was one of the ATG HWT fights - top three ATG - it was absolutely incredible fighting by both and both deserved to win and both are viewed as winners now -

There is no way anyone could not respect WK he has been a super class king of the sport - anyone who dislikes WK is either a racist or an assh0le booing a class act lie WK or Roger Federer is just wrong -

Who would have though we would be talking about Wlad in a conversation about saving boxing? Credit to AJ too of course. But it was Wlad that made the fight by actually coming to fight, also being a warrior and getting up from every knockdown, and then putting AJ on his arse. Wlad showed heart & desire nobody though the ever had.

AJ's chin is also better than we all thought. Not many, if anybody else in his future career, may ever hit him harder with a straight right than Wlad did. Yes, he went down, but he got up and fought on. He's been in the trenches, and survived.

This fight answered every question I had. Wlad was the best Wlad we could have hoped for, his only ceiling was the fact he's in his 40's now and although still in shape, the body, brain & tank are not what they were 5 years ago. 2012 Wlad, as game as he was on Saturday, would have won. taking nothing away from AJ, but prime Wlad had him at this stage in AJ's career.

This fight will grow over the years. How exactly do you beat it? It had everything. Proud of the British crowd for applauding Wlad. It meant a lot to him, and you could see it. He be a great Holywood villian I've always thought.

I dread a rematch though... Wladimir can't possibly top that effort.. He trained like a monster and gave it everything.. It was a night to remember.

The Leonard-Duran fight was epic -- then we had the rematch -- NOT so epic... Let's not spoil this ATG Heavyweight Championship Fight by having a redo.

montrealsuper wrote:more respect to WK tonight than any of his best wins he lost but he won I was surprised that there were no boos for WK all night That's class

This. For the first time in his career he showed real heart. He fought like this was his last chance. Wlad always had a rep as a soft fighter but, for one night, he shed that image and I was impressed.

Scoop is a buffoon, amazing he has a nuthugger.

jbizzle20 wrote:

montrealsuper wrote:more respect to WK tonight than any of his best wins he lost but he won I was surprised that there were no boos for WK all night That's class

This. For the first time in his career he showed real heart. He fought like this was his last chance. Wlad always had a rep as a soft fighter but, for one night, he shed that image and I was impressed.

I know you're trying to praise Wlad here, but you're missing the boat. Wlad has always had incredible heart. His will to win is right up there with the greatest ever in the sport.

punchoutsb wrote:Wlad has always had incredible heart.

and Saturday he proved it