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Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 07:57
by keithmoonhangover
He got stopped by a late replacement, then completely changed his style to win the rematch. Then he lost back to back decisions against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. Some fans are writing him off. Are they right?
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 08:23
by Boxerbeetle
I don’t think anyone is completely writing him off per se, just being realistic. Joshua never had super technical skills or ability, his main advantages were power and throwing relatively fast, albeit straightforward, combinations.
Since Ruiz I, he’s looked very hesitant and no longer has the confidence to trade punches, which means he’s negating his best attributes. He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 08:28
by polecateddy
Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 08:23
I don’t think anyone is completely writing him off per se, just being realistic. Joshua never had super technical skills or ability, his main advantages were power and throwing relatively fast, albeit straightforward, combinations.
Since Ruiz I, he’s looked very hesitant and no longer has the confidence to trade punches, which means he’s negating his best attributes. He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
It’s been said before that he’s caught between two styles. The initial PED driven muscle man and now something a bit less powerful but more boxing skill based. Not sure if he’s comfortably top 3, with Wilder on the loose. Top 5 for now until he loses to a young upstart.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 10:51
by BigDoofus
Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 08:23
He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
He's 1-1 with Ruiz, lost twice to Usyk, just ducked Fury, won't fight Wilder and needs a warmup before fighting Whyte again.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 10:53
by Boxerbeetle
BigDoofus wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 10:51
Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 08:23
He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
He's 1-1 with Ruiz, lost twice to Usyk, just ducked Fury, won't fight Wilder and needs a warmup before fighting Whyte again.
Fury ducked Joshua, to fight Chisora. Just like he ducked Price
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 11:04
by The Gratest
BigDoofus wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 10:51
Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 08:23
He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
He's 1-1 with Ruiz, lost twice to Usyk, just ducked Fury, won't fight Wilder and needs a warmup before fighting Whyte again.
Don't forget the fashion show! He attended a fashion show!
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 14:35
by tonyevs
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 07:57
He got stopped by a late replacement, then completely changed his style to win the rematch. Then he lost back to back decisions against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. Some fans are writing him off. Are they right?
It's difficult to call - he is incredibly rich and got all the celebrity he appears to want - what would drive him to carry on boxing?
Physically he is at his peak, but doubtful the desire is anywhere close to what pushed him to win and make the early defences.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 14:41
by keithmoonhangover
tonyevs wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 14:35
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 07:57
He got stopped by a late replacement, then completely changed his style to win the rematch. Then he lost back to back decisions against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. Some fans are writing him off. Are they right?
what would drive him to carry on boxing?
The same thing that drove Lennox, he got to the top of the mountain and wants to get back there. That's my opinion anyway.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 14:44
by keithmoonhangover
BigDoofus wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 10:51
Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 08:23
He’s still comfortably in the top 3 heavyweights in the world, for now anyway.
He's 1-1 with Ruiz, lost twice to Usyk, just ducked Fury, won't fight Wilder and needs a warmup before fighting Whyte again.
Doofus.... I mean this in the nicest possible way. You know when someone tells the same joke over and over and no one laughs? Yeah.,
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 15:08
by tonyevs
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 14:41
tonyevs wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 14:35
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 07:57
He got stopped by a late replacement, then completely changed his style to win the rematch. Then he lost back to back decisions against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. Some fans are writing him off. Are they right?
what would drive him to carry on boxing?
The same thing that drove Lennox, he got to the top of the mountain and wants to get back there. That's my opinion anyway.
Lennox was a different animal to what Joshua is; it's hard to imagine Joshua ever had the drive Lennox did.
Lennox wanted greatness - Joshua is happy with just the money it would seem.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 15:13
by keithmoonhangover
tonyevs wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 15:08
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 14:41
tonyevs wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 14:35
what would drive him to carry on boxing?
The same thing that drove Lennox, he got to the top of the mountain and wants to get back there. That's my opinion anyway.
Lennox was a different animal to what Joshua is; it's hard to imagine Joshua ever had the drive Lennox did.
Lennox wanted greatness - Joshua is happy with just the money it would seem.
It doesn't seem that way to me. Joshua is the person that would know, not us two.
Ultimately, If he didn't want to fight, he wouldn't.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 17:25
by willardx
I think he still has mileage. A well matched fight against wallin or filip herg in the new year would be a good test of his hunger.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 17:31
by Coco
Prob no 3 in the world
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 17:35
by forcefraser
What annoys me with Joshua is his total lack of fights.
He was supposed to be out in December then "at least" 3 times next year.
He won't fight until June/July 23 and then unlikely again in 2023
The guy is not hungry enough. Too much money made
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 27 Nov 2022, 18:09
by tonyevs
Joshua appeared keen to fight Fury when he was called out - whether that was because he knew Fury had already lined up Chisora and was just making Fury look even more full of sh@t we'll never know.
But fighting a lesser known contender will be the acid test of his motivation.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 06:29
by BigDoofus
Coco wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 17:31
Prob no 3 in the world
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 07:49
by keithmoonhangover
BigDoofus wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 06:29
Coco wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 17:31
Prob no 3 in the world
Say what you want about Shelly, but he's a wise man when it comes to boxing.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 14:01
by Lenny Cravats
Wilder knocks AJ out, definitely.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 14:08
by Spud
Lenny Cravats wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 14:01
Wilder knocks AJ out, definitely.
Agreed
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 15:18
by keithmoonhangover
Spud wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 14:08
Lenny Cravats wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 14:01
Wilder knocks AJ out, definitely.
Agreed
I'm not so sure, but I would happily pay to find out.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 16:14
by fizzjambo
I don’t think I’ve overly changed my view about Joshua over the last few years, but then again I never thought he was the relentless force that Sky and his team hyped him to be either. He’s been a good quality world level boxer who would have been top ten in many eras, but I don’t think he’s ever been someone who has come close to be spoken of as a great heavy, or even the best of his generation, but he’s been bloody decent.
The Ruiz loss shocked me, mainly because I don’t really rate Ruiz all that highly. Ruiz doesn’t have another result on his record close to his win over Joshua, in truth he’s got a very padded record himself. Joshua had height, reach, power and momentum in his favour, but he took a bit of a leathering in the end. Yes he won the rematch but Ruiz clearly was badly prepared and while Joshua boxes to plan it was hardly a master class and Ruiz was too out of shape and lacking in ambition to negate Joshua’s improved disciple.
Joshua’s built up a number of wins over guys just below world level - Martin, Whyte, Takam, etc but these aren’t wins that make a legacy. His wins that’ll set where he sits at the top level are Wlad, Parker and Povetkin. All good wins but I’d argue Povetkin and Parker were just a shade below top level and Wlad was clearly past his best, but it was still a very good win at that stage.
Usyk’s wins weren’t a surprise, yes he’s much smaller but he’s light years ahead in terms of skill and technique. There’s no shame on losing to Usyk, but there’s just too much evidence now, and too few big wins to counter that evidence, that Joshua isn’t and has never been a great heavy. No shame in that, and hopefully he keeps going and is in some more entertaining fights. Fury beats him though and I’d pick Joyce to steamroller this version of him as well. Wilder would be a great watch. Either one could wipe out the other - and it’s the one I’d most look forward to.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 17:22
by ALI
Some people are writing him off too soon, for sure. Styles make fights. I absolutely want to see him fight Fury and Wilder. The Fury fight must happen in 2023, but knowing how it goes in boxing, its probable we will never see it, which would be tragic, and a real stain on Fury's record IMO.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 28 Nov 2022, 18:12
by mickey1975
fizzjambo wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 16:14
I don’t think I’ve overly changed my view about Joshua over the last few years, but then again I never thought he was the relentless force that Sky and his team hyped him to be either. He’s been a good quality world level boxer who would have been top ten in many eras, but I don’t think he’s ever been someone who has come close to be spoken of as a great heavy, or even the best of his generation, but he’s been bloody decent.
The Ruiz loss shocked me, mainly because I don’t really rate Ruiz all that highly. Ruiz doesn’t have another result on his record close to his win over Joshua, in truth he’s got a very padded record himself. Joshua had height, reach, power and momentum in his favour, but he took a bit of a leathering in the end. Yes he won the rematch but Ruiz clearly was badly prepared and while Joshua boxes to plan it was hardly a master class and Ruiz was too out of shape and lacking in ambition to negate Joshua’s improved disciple.
Joshua’s built up a number of wins over guys just below world level - Martin, Whyte, Takam, etc but these aren’t wins that make a legacy. His wins that’ll set where he sits at the top level are Wlad, Parker and Povetkin. All good wins but I’d argue Povetkin and Parker were just a shade below top level and Wlad was clearly past his best, but it was still a very good win at that stage.
Usyk’s wins weren’t a surprise, yes he’s much smaller but he’s light years ahead in terms of skill and technique. There’s no shame on losing to Usyk, but there’s just too much evidence now, and too few big wins to counter that evidence, that Joshua isn’t and has never been a great heavy. No shame in that, and hopefully he keeps going and is in some more entertaining fights. Fury beats him though and I’d pick Joyce to steamroller this version of him as well. Wilder would be a great watch. Either one could wipe out the other - and it’s the one I’d most look forward to.
That’s more or less my take on him. Especially the Ruiz bit. Parker, Hughie and Ortiz were super close fights and nobody rates them at all.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 29 Nov 2022, 02:42
by DrDuke
I don't write him off, I've just never been sold on him and always picked Fury and Usyk over him. Joshua can remain among the top fighters for sure and he will, but he's not the best out there.
Re: Is Anthony Joshua Being Written Off Too Soon?
Posted: 29 Nov 2022, 03:31
by Frostieballs
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 15:18
Spud wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 14:08
Lenny Cravats wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 14:01
Wilder knocks AJ out, definitely.
Agreed
I'm not so sure, but I would happily pay to find out.
I think AJ proves what we all suspect about Wilders level and knocks him out without much trouble.
Either way, that PPV is worth ten times more than Fury-Chisora.
