Pulev has one of the best jabs in the division and it landed so infrequently was almost entirely down to AJ's subtle head movement, angles and quicker foot speed. There was a lot to spot for the keen eye here but admittedly, the tentativeness in the early rounds was hard to ignore. As AJ's confidence grew though, so did his jabs accuracy and power.
I voted B+, the straight right finish was shades of Lewis vs Rahman too!
5/10
I mean, did he do what he was expected to do against a 40 year old euro level that Wlad blasted out in two rounds over five years ago?
When you say it like that :lol1:
7/10
He was disciplined and composed. Followed the game plan
He's building his confidence back up after the Ruiz loss
Hell do alright vs fury
I actually think he'll beat him
The biggest improvement that I think AJ could've made....body punching! AJ likes throwing an uppercut-hook-hook combo, but he never threw the hooks to the body. He was stabbing with the jab to the body, but Pulev was very open to body hooks when he would shell up.
7.4?
What separates this and a 7.5 fight?
Just his overall demeanor, he is clearly still shook from his loss to Ruiz Junior 'But to his credit he is working through his issues center stage'.
When Soccer players go through phases like Joshua, they are sitting on the bench or working behind the scenes on the training ground 'Joshua is center stage'.
I think Joshua will face Uysk next.
7.4/10.
He scored a legitimate violent knock out, but? I believe his punch technique was a bit off, and overall strength lacking. Joshua can afford to come in a tad heavier '242-245 pounds would be more optimal'.
Joshua is clearly still going through a rebuilding process, it was vital tonight that scored a few knock downs and a knockout 'But he will know that he still needs to discover more of himself'.
B-
7.4?
What separates this and a 7.5 fight?
7.4/10.
He scored a legitimate violent knock out, but? I believe his punch technique was a bit off, and overall strength lacking. Joshua can afford to come in a tad heavier '242-245 pounds would be more optimal'.
Joshua is clearly still going through a rebuilding process, it was vital tonight that scored a few knock downs and a knockout 'But he will know that he still needs to rediscover more of himself'.
B-
B.
Done what he was supposed to do, while controlling the fight and making it look routine.
Boxed when he wanted, stepped it up when he had his man hurt.
Nice win, and a nice KO.
It's a small thing, but I note that the 39-year-old Pulev has quickly become "40" in NSB. :lol1:
A lot of people here do that lol. Anything over 35 becomes "40."
B-. He did well, started well, got a bit ugly in the middle but ended well. A solid performance but certainly didn't dazzle.
Ppl can moan about Pulev but who else has done that to him? Klitchko, nobody else.
Back to blasting black fighters I see
This guy is a racist little b1tch every week, it's just a different black fighters turn
You post this **** everywhere lol, nobody gives a **** what colour they are stop being insecure.
B-
He should finished off Pulev in the 4th. Joshua has technical ability and that will make him a tough matchup for anyone. But he appeared far too hesitant against Pulev.
For AJ it was a decent performance. He's still a bit robotic but Pulev wasn't the type to exploit that weakness. More coordinated fighters who can put punches together might (like Ruiz did). There was still an element of danger though from those straight rights and Joshua did well to slip most of them. He also paced himself better than in the past - a few years ago, after that 3rd round he probably would have punched himself out.
Fury will be a problem if AJ boxes like that though. Fury can spoil and box and the more time he has to find a rhythm the tougher it'll be for AJ. I think AJ needs to be aggressive early in that fight as I don't see Fury as a massive counterpunching risk. As robotic as Joshua can be, he's not Wilder in that he doesn't completely unravel the second he's pressured backwards. And I don't think Fury will want to trade power with Joshua early, so I think that's an opportunity for Joshua to force openings.
the only neg for me is he didn't take advantage of body shots when pulev was covering up. and it seems like he gassed a bit in the 4th. other than that, no biggie. just another masterclass boxing lesson against another top 10 opponent.