I like a good scrap like the next man, but boxing is my number one sporting passion and I'm also a boxing purist. Joshua knew he was up against an unbeaten world champion who would be dangerous and with very quick hands - so he prepared for the fight both physically (weight) and tactically. In many ways he schooled Parker, toyed with him, and was looking just as strong at the final bell as he was at the first. He showed real ring craft - we've always known about his power and now he is becoming a very good boxer. Every fight he learns more, and is getting better and better.
Last night Anthony Joshua came of age as a boxer.
P.S. Great to see Ray Leonard at ringside looking so well. A true legend and for me the best pound for pound boxer in my lifetime.
About where I am. Post fight AJ said he was boxing behind the jab as planned. Nice to see AJ get a distance win, especially against a fast heavyweight so for me he has answered a lot of questions...he got knocked down against Wlad and got up, showed bags of spirit a beat him, we know he can roll people over if he connects, he's just gone the distance and beat an unbeaten champion who, let's face it, didn't give him much trouble. Yes AJ does not have the natural boxing ability of Ali or hand speed of Mike Tyson but I do think he is the real deal and would bash up Wilder and Fury. I very exciting time in the heavyweight division.
Like when a footballer is out injured for a long time and his ability and impact is becomes a bit overstated - and they then become seen as a better player than they actually are - it feels to me like Fury's absence has given him a status that some of his previous performances don't necessarily merit.
He was outstanding against Klitschko but certainly not always before that?
Bobmonro it’s going to be spike mate, GGG turned down the BJS fight and had opted for spike
Yes saw that - we'll talk about it if Canelo is suspended on 18 April and if it's Spike then we'll probably get the tickets refunded. Most people will go for refunds I would imagine so we should then be able to pick up tickets for a song once we're out there - the place will be half empty for GGG/Spike!
Let me know if you do go and I will drop spike a message and tell him you are going to be out there see if I can get him to meet you good lad is spike he is pals with Isaac
Like when a footballer is out injured for a long time and his ability and impact is becomes a bit overstated - and they then become seen as a better player than they actually are - it feels to me like Fury's absence has given him a status that some of his previous performances don't necessarily merit.
He was outstanding against Klitschko but certainly not always before that?
I've never actually seen him fight but barring Klitschko, which top level fighters has he actually beaten to warrant the hype that surrounds him?
A genuine question to those that know boxing far better than me - how good is he really?
It’s a very valid question tbh and one that will be difficult to really put in context
Fury only really fought
Johnson Hammer And Vald
Who were top level imo he beat chisora twice
But at that point in time except vlad it was a division devoid of top level opponents
He beat what was put in front of him it was the manor in which he done it that was so impressive against klitchko who was beating everyone and to do it in klitchko back yard aswell
Let me know if you do go and I will drop spike a message and tell him you are going to be out there see if I can get him to meet you good lad is spike he is pals with Isaac
Canelo/Golovkin definitely off - Canelo has withdrawn.
Refund being processed on the tickets and will see who GGG faces, but will buy tickets out there.
I can’t agree with the fight view from last night carts but like football, boxing is about opinions I try to always watch the fight without sound as I can’t stick the bs you here ,
I would much rather AJ is listening to RM but even if he is only listening to Eddie then that’s a lot better than who was influencing the program
Tyson has the desire but it’s a single one man desire and this is from him not a podcast or interview it’s from the horses mouth in Manchester 6 weeks ago now
He ain’t interested in Parker or wilder and he knows he has to get out before Dubois he is lasered in on AJ as he genuinely believes he is no more than a pumped up body builder and that he can beat him easily by not getting hit
He respects him as an Olympian and as a professional boxer they all do respect each other having the bollox to go through the ropes and do what they do but he does not rate him
I think the offer to Shannon Briggs is a genuine one I think that if he takes that fight it will show he is serious , there was talk it could be Joyce but haye won’t entertain that
It needs to be big enough to get a bite and not risky enough to jeopardize the 50 mil fight
Then it will be Joshua in a winner takes all if Eddie can avoid the mandatory shots without sacrificing a belt then it could happen the end of this year if he can’t then I see it as a spring fight next year
I hope that Fury does make it back to the top level, as then you would have the makings of some unbelievable trilogies involving Fury, AJ, Wilder, Dubois with even the likes of Whyte and Parker hovering around the edges.
You have obviously met the man, and heard directly from him, but even you would have to admit that it is a long, long road back from here.
Someone else on here has said that promoters would be lining up to work with him, but when you look at his erratic behaviour before and the whole drugs issue, then I am not sure that that is the case.
I think that Eddie Hearn in particular views Fury as a bit of a nuisance and a sideshow, and won't be doing him any favours whatsoever. It is the Wilder fight for now that has their focus, and possibly even Whyte before that.
The problem that AJ/Hearn have, is that they need to keep moving the bandwagon forward, and there are only so many fighters that can draw 80,000 to Wembley/Cardiff - would a rematch with Parker draw in so many? Almost certainly not, so they need to keep Fury as an option.
Finally on Fury, not all boxers who take an extended break from the ring end up with a glorious fairy story like Ali or Leonard. Many fighters like Ricky Hatton, Naseem Hamed and Mike Tyson were never the same again - something is lost in their absence from the ring, that can never be replaced.
I’m so jealous of this, praying that one of the promoters gets Loma over here at some point as I’d love to see him fight in the flesh.
This is the first fight for him where I’m not 100% certain he’ll win.
Just didn't think we have the fighter to bring the money to the table so had to bite the bullet and fork out to see the guy live. I've seen linares twice before against Mitchell and Crolla and know how brilliant he is but give him little chance against Loma.
I’m so jealous of this, praying that one of the promoters gets Loma over here at some point as I’d love to see him fight in the flesh.
This is the first fight for him where I’m not 100% certain he’ll win.
Linares is prepping for the fight without his trainer as he's working with Haye for the Bellew rematch. Not sure that's a bright move before fighting Loma!
Anyone know when Groves v Smith is? Did they give Groves the extra month or so to get fit now that he's had his op?
I know Usyk v Gassiev is in May in Saudi of all places, but couldn't see a date for the super middleweights.
I am lead to believe that it could be end of June beginning of July based on the date some of the purse bids for fights that could be taking place on the bill have to be concluded by
DeGale wins on points. Very scrappy fight with chunky showing more quality than Truax, however the way James fought tonight he’d struggle to beat the likes of Groves and Smith.
DeGale wins on points. Very scrappy fight with chunky showing more quality than Truax, however the way James fought tonight he’d struggle to beat the likes of Groves and Smith.
Sad to hear, I saw his last fight and he had great friends and family behind him, so this decision was clearly for a good reason. All the best @LewSmith94
Comments
Yes AJ does not have the natural boxing ability of Ali or hand speed of Mike Tyson but I do think he is the real deal and would bash up Wilder and Fury. I very exciting time in the heavyweight division.
He was outstanding against Klitschko but certainly not always before that?
Mandatory for wilder
Final elimination for iBF with Pulev
Open offer for povotkin fight
Win any of them and be next in line to fight AJ
A genuine question to those that know boxing far better than me - how good is he really?
Fury only really fought
Johnson
Hammer
And Vald
Who were top level imo he beat chisora twice
But at that point in time except vlad it was a division devoid of top level opponents
He beat what was put in front of him it was the manor in which he done it that was so impressive against klitchko who was beating everyone and to do it in klitchko back yard aswell
Refund being processed on the tickets and will see who GGG faces, but will buy tickets out there.
I'll take you up on that, D - if it is Spike.
You have obviously met the man, and heard directly from him, but even you would have to admit that it is a long, long road back from here.
Someone else on here has said that promoters would be lining up to work with him, but when you look at his erratic behaviour before and the whole drugs issue, then I am not sure that that is the case.
I think that Eddie Hearn in particular views Fury as a bit of a nuisance and a sideshow, and won't be doing him any favours whatsoever. It is the Wilder fight for now that has their focus, and possibly even Whyte before that.
The problem that AJ/Hearn have, is that they need to keep moving the bandwagon forward, and there are only so many fighters that can draw 80,000 to Wembley/Cardiff - would a rematch with Parker draw in so many? Almost certainly not, so they need to keep Fury as an option.
Finally on Fury, not all boxers who take an extended break from the ring end up with a glorious fairy story like Ali or Leonard. Many fighters like Ricky Hatton, Naseem Hamed and Mike Tyson were never the same again - something is lost in their absence from the ring, that can never be replaced.
This is the first fight for him where I’m not 100% certain he’ll win.
He beats Linares.
Yes, I'm jealous as well!!
I know Usyk v Gassiev is in May in Saudi of all places, but couldn't see a date for the super middleweights.
It’s a shame. Hope all is ok with him.
On a side note... Fury signing with Warren, presser tomorrow is word on the street
Good luck in whatever you pursue next