Anthony Joshua appreciation thread

All boxers have my appreciation. AJ always comes in well-trained, in good shape. He is dedicated. He banged Amir Khan's wife. There are many things for which I appreciate AJ and will continue doing so :boxing:

Fury vs. AJ is completely dead, buried. Everybody, even casuals now realize that Fury's movement would destroy him. AJ has to start over again, rebuild himself with a few bum fights, and then style-wise you could maybe give him one last payday against a Wilder or Joyce.

One of the best things to happen to British boxing and boxing in general. He’s brought so many new fans to the sport with is exciting style, good looks and personality. I also watched AJ vs Klitschko in a pub in London. Perhaps we were at the same pub. Fancy that. I’ve said from the beginning that he’s not the most talented and doesn’t look like a natural boxer. His success is a testament to his dedication to the sport, always training, never getting out of shape and always looking to fight good fighters. One of boxing’s biggest overachievers. Forget Usyk rematch fight a gimme, Whyte 2 and then Fury and sail off into the sunset head held high and buttocks tight.

epic defining fight vs Klitschko as it was a fight that everybody was cheering for im afraid fury has the defining fight v klit, he took him out with the belts in germany thats epic, joshua beat the retired kilt, big difference

There was nothing special about that fight. In hindsight it won't be seen as anything special. It's just most of you dumbass Joshua fans trying to find some point of consolation. Joshua is just a mediocre fighter. His performance was worse than Chisora. He's a big good looking black guy who isn't threatening so most of the British audience take to him. Like Bruno. But the average brit is a clueless fucking moron with no concept of talent or excellence. There was nothing about yesterday's performance that was particularly compelling. It was a shut out. As many suspected because Joshua has never been a remotely impressive fighter. None of his opponents have gone on to achieve anything either. Ruiz struggling with Arreola, Parker pretty much losing to a waaaay fucking past it Chisora, Whyte just being slow and plodding junk, Takam being a mid tier gatekeeper, Pulev being a waste of time. He is indicative of how much the common man is a mug who can be easily taken for a ride. I laugh at anyone who sat in a queue online to watch that one sided fight and shitty undercard that preceeded it. And that's coming from someone that still think Joshua has more to give. But not this current mediocre incarnation of him.

I'm not sure if it's the end for Joshua yet, if someone told me he would win one of the belts back and have another notable win or two over the next couple of years I'd hardly be mind blown. But sure I'll show some appreciation, I think he has done incredibly well for a late starter to boxing, he's always had that disadvantage of it not being in him since he was a kid like a Usyk or a Fury but he's done very well in spite of that, he's provided us with some great nights, even in his losses tbh. I also think he's conducted himself well, he's always acted with class, I know a lot of it is the PR thing but I think he tries to be a positive role model, his heart is in the right place. I think having a genuine hatred of Joshua is kind of silly, I think after he's retired he will be looked back on better than he's perceived now, he was a good champion who won most and lost a couple.

I think Joshua's career is in it's twilight stages and I can't see him beating Usyk in a rematch or Fury unless he takes huge risks throwing bombs. In contrast to all the negative threads about him, I'd like to appreciate him for his epic defining fight vs Klitschko as it was a fight that everybody was cheering for, including myself, when I was watching it live in a random pub in London. That fight was amazing and deservedly goes down in boxing history. Also, props to Joshua for taking these huge risky fights. It was a very risky fight and I'm glad he took it because I really hate fighters dodging everybody 'til the cows come home! However, I would like to say that I would still like to see old style Joshua vs Wilder, both throwing bombs. That would be a fun fight! Klitschko was 42 years old and probably could have KO'd Joshua had he gone for it the way Ruiz did after he knocked him down.

He can definitely beat Usyk in a rematch, not sure about Fury. It really depends on which Fury comes out to fight that night. Wilder would be a 50-50 but if they delay it be another year or two, Wilder would be too old as he would be 37/38 by then. He has to change his style and fight like the bigger man to beat Usyk instead of trying to outbox or outpoint him. He should be the one circling Usyk and not the other way round. He can beat usyk but once you have that much money and you no longer have to keep your 0 defeat record, I am not sure how motivated Joshua would be to bring changes to his team (he needs a new trainer).

I'm a big Joshua fan win lose or draw. I think after the Ruiz loss him and his team have gone too far in to being a Boxer over a puncher cuz he's throwing away some of his best attributes. And then thinking you can outbox Usyk was a bit delusional really. He needed to try to bully him. See where he goes next, personally I hope he has a change of trainer and goes back to a more aggressive style which seemed to suit his abilities more and was more fun and entertaining to watch. ​​​​​ ​​​​

I'm not writing him off yet. Good all round boxer but a brilliant professional who takes on the sort of challenges that the rest don't. You can be certain he'll be 100% prepared for the rematch. Which gives him a chance. ​​​​​I've always thought he beats Fury and last night doesn't change that. Fury isn't a 'big Usyk' as some have claimed. That would have to be the most basic boxing opinion I've ever read. Wilder is a close fight and was the real loss. That fight would have been epic, was brilliantly framed, was well overdue and boxing should be ashamed that it didn't happen. Personally I desperately wanted him to achieve Undisputed, simply because he was the only one trying to do it.

He was/is a solid workmanlike fighter, not a born fighter and doesnt do anything particularly flashy but has good basics combined with his size, strength and good power. He also always comes across very professional, always turning up in shape etc etc. I also respect him for fighting a good mix of top ranked HWs, and for consistently fighting a solid level of opposition. Obviously deserves credit for being a huge star/draw too.