Am I the only one who thinks this?
Yes Joshua needed to step up since his previous opponents haven't even tried to challenge Joshua. However, Wlad is a massive leap from his previous opponents in terms of quality.
Joshua has barely had to get into second gear and has coasted practically all of his fights. He had a slight moment of adversity against Whyte, and that's about it. He hasn't been in a dog fight or been touched at all.
How is Joshua going to deal with the tactics of Wlad? He will tie him up and pot shot Joshua. I can see this being a ugly fight where Wlad uses his experience and discipline to frustrate Joshua. Wlad isn't dumb enough to trade punches or allow Joshua the range to lands his big shots. He won't be there.
Wlad is going to drag him into the latter half of the fight where Joshua hasn't been, and lacks experience.
Joshua is use to knocking out his opponents early, where they barely even fire a punch at him. Wlad hits just as hard as Joshua if not harder, and will have to fight cagey.
I feel the lack of rounds and experience could be the undoing of Joshua here.
Thoughts?
Of course he's ready. If he don't beat wlad its noit because he's noit ready its cois he's not good enough. Wkads just come off a loss hasn't he?
That guy who beat Walters the other day how many fights did he have?
I like Wlad and respect that he has fought so many unbeaten guys over the years, but he is ripe for the taking right now. His confidence has to be shot from the Fury fight, and I think he had the look of a man afraid to pull the trigger. Fury is a very good tactical fighter, but he doesn't have a huge punch. Wlad will be going against a young bull who hits like a truck. I hope I'm wrong, but I see Wlad getting put away in this one.
It's going to be an interesting fight. If Klitchko shows up motivated, and ready to throw some punches..he will definitely cause problems.
Hearn's fast-tracking of Joshua and not providing him with a decent challenge, could backfire quickly. For Joshua's development, I really think he needs to go through a proper gatekeeper type, before fighting one of the elites. He's jumping from bums to one of the best (albeit with question marks).
I think Wlad's age and inactivity have dampened that view a bit for me.
I think were see a better Wlad than the one Fury fought. He seems motivated for this fight.
Unless Wlad is completely shot and can't pull the trigger I see Joshua having issues with the way Wlad will dictate the fight.
Look at what happened to Price when he fought bums his entire career and stepped up to Thompson who could punch him back. He rolled over. Now Joshua can't be compared to Price, but this is a similar situation in terms of quality.
Maybe they know something I don't, but Wlad is a massive gamble this early in his career, considering how poor his previous opposition has been.
Joshua isn't use to shots coming back or even have to evade any.
Dangerous fight IMO.