BoxRec

He has a rematch clause. Should he take it?

In my opinion, no. That was the perfect farewell fight, and I don't see a rematch having a different outcome.

Yes.. even past his best Vlad was seconds away from stopping AJ multiple times. Fight again asap.

I think his brother and missus will probably convince him to get out.
better to leave than get permenantly hurt. That would be a great shame.
Learn from Ali.

I think he should fight an easy opponent at home in Kyiv. He has only fought once in Ukraine and he lost that fight.
Wouldn't mind seeing him fight like the winner of Quendo-Briggs. At least that would still be for a "title" and would give the home fans a treat.
After that he could potentially fight Joshua in a rematch as a last cash-out fight or just retire.

He fought his best fight in years and still lost. Retire and let the young guys fight for it.

41 years old. Time to quit. He sounded drunk after the fight was over which is normal when getting concussed like that .. Time to quit.

I say retire. Yes he can probably still beat anybody other then Joshua but they are not worth a trouble and if he takes the rematch he will get a worse pasting.

Knowing Klitschko though and his drive to box I fear he might not retire.

Yes, he should retire.

Wlad should retire.

He laid it all on the line last night. He will be remembered for going out on his shield, fighting to the end, in hostile territory, taking the young lion to his limits.

Wladimir should definitely retire. He just took part in the best fight of his career and will have elevated his historical ranking for the performance he gave.

For me, Joshua's stock rises further and he is clearly the man to beat at heavyweight, unless Tyson Fury gets his head together and loses 100lb. For those touting Joshua as the best heavyweight ever, they must be quickly re-evaluating after seeing him go life and death with an inactive 41 year old who was previously outboxed by Tyson Fury.

Retire. Went out like a warrior. He's already been the undisputed heavyweight champ, he knows that feeling. Lots of money, family, well liked, even loved now after last night, by the majority of the boxing world. He's a smart cookie too so I think he'll walk away.

I was so happy with Wlads performance. I find it hard to see a guy get beat when they've fought there heart out. He was tactically good, sharp and showed all the experience and ring craft.

But Joshua showed he is dangerous throughout. Wlad either had to put him away when he had chance, or you're risking getting took out at any point.

I feel Wlad could retire content after such a good showing, but part of me feels he deserves to go out on a win. I don't think he should take the rematch though

No.

He was magnificent in defeat & he has nothing left to prove.

He needs to get out whilst he still has his wealth, health & looks.

Ossyrules wrote:I was so happy with Wlads performance. I find it hard to see a guy get beat when they've fought there heart out. He was tactically good, sharp and showed all the experience and ring craft.

But Joshua showed he is dangerous throughout. Wlad either had to put him away when he had chance, or you're risking getting took out at any point.

I feel Wlad could retire content after such a good showing, but part of me feels he deserves to go out on a win. I don't think he should take the rematch though

I would like him to get out on a win too. He showed the most wonderful grace in losing and put a fight of a warrior. Both fighters were tired after round 5 I think it was, Joshua looked glazed over in the eyes and was hurt. Both legs from both fighters looked bendy. I will always remember this fight, bit jealous my brother in law and nephew had gone!

Just a quick point. Do you think Vlad would of finished AJ off while he had the chance say five fights ago?

hagler81 wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:I was so happy with Wlads performance. I find it hard to see a guy get beat when they've fought there heart out. He was tactically good, sharp and showed all the experience and ring craft.

But Joshua showed he is dangerous throughout. Wlad either had to put him away when he had chance, or you're risking getting took out at any point.

I feel Wlad could retire content after such a good showing, but part of me feels he deserves to go out on a win. I don't think he should take the rematch though

I would like him to get out on a win too. He showed the most wonderful grace in losing and put a fight of a warrior. Both fighters were tired after round 5 I think it was, Joshua looked glazed over in the eyes and was hurt. Both legs from both fighters looked bendy. I will always remember this fight, bit jealous my brother in law and nephew had gone!

Just a quick point. Do you think Vlad would of finished AJ off while he had the chance say five fights ago?

It's a tough question to answer. Wlad is a very technically astute outside boxer with power, but he's not a killer. Most of his career he's shown this to be the case, so I can't say for sure he'd would have looked to get him out there 5 fights ago. To me he looked as quick and sharp in this fight than he did 5 fights ago anyway tbh. He obviously knew the challenge and was motivated.

He put up a great fight I was really impressed

Joshua is going to improve and Wladimir is going to get older and probably decline a little. Unless he can find the Fountain of Youth, I think he should retire.

I can't believe i'm saying this but i'd watch a rematch. Why not?

But i do hope that they make Joshua/Wilder as soon as possible.

Gimp Mask wrote:He has a rematch clause. Should he take it?

In my opinion, no. That was the perfect farewell fight, and I don't see a rematch having a different outcome.

Wladimir should consider taking the rematch if his desire for the sport is strong enough to guarantee an improved performance in the second fight.

I can't help feeling that AJ only needed to implement a few minor strategic changes in his approach that could have secured a much easier route to victory.

And similarly, I feel that Klitschko made a few mistakes and missed a few opportunities that could have allowed him to score the upset last night.

I guess that's the nature of hindsight... and I have no doubt that both fighters will rewatch their fight and very quickly identify the things they could have done better.

I still feel that Wladimir Klitschko is capable of defeating Anthony Joshua, but would remain the underdog, in what would inevitably be another 90K Wembley Stadium-filling super-fight. So why shouldn't the veteran give it another go, if he can deliver a better performance in the rematch?

it would make a lot of money and
wlad was definitely competitive. my
guess is the second fight would be
clearer for AJ.

Wlad wants one fight in Kiev
He should just fight hammer or Ustinov as a goodbye fight

Saying that I think in 2017 he beats likes of Ortiz and Parker

No. Aj is getting more experienced day by day. Will be less carefree. A seasoned aj wrecks wlad even earlier, although wlad looked better than years ago. Age mean less when your training and nutrition is on point

No, he should retire and bin that USB stick.

The state Joshua was in... it's clear he doesn't have a finish in him.

Syntax Error wrote:No.

He was magnificent in defeat & he has nothing left to prove.

He needs to get out whilst he still has his wealth, health & looks.

An excellent post !

SFW wrote:Yes.. even past his best Vlad was seconds away from stopping AJ multiple times. Fight again asap.

Lol, I am guessing AJ is hoping he retires. Wlad had AJ right where he wanted him, and could have stopped him a couple of rounds after the knockdown, but maybe he was too gassed himself. I do think a younger heavyweight like Wilder would have stopped him in the same situation, provided he didn't get stopped himself first. AJ is super dangerous when fresh, but that is only about 1/2 the fight it seems.

caldo2025 wrote:
But i do hope that they make Joshua/Wilder as soon as possible.

I do too but, you know how boxing goes, The Joshua v Wilder match will most likely be dragged out for at least a year yet.