We're going to treat the fights as the AJ & Wilder are boxing these opponents in both their respective "primes", whatever that time frame may be for you.
How do you see these matchups playing out for AJ & Wilder? Please list details such as method, round, and how they get it done, or create your own ranking placing the below boxers in the order you believe they would be ranked if the were active "prime" boxers.
AJ & Wilder
VS
Razor Ruddock
Riddick Bowe
Michael Moorer
Tommy Morrison
Ray Mercer
David Tua
As you will notice, this isn't the best of the best, but more of a best of the rest.
Prime for prime AJ beats all but Bowe in my opinion. But that's true of a lot of heavyweights... Bowe could have been incredible if he could just keep things together. Arguably Mercer would be the most interesting style matchup.
As for Wilder it's a similar story to every fight he's had or will have. He'll either land the shot or he'll lose. Never known a fighter take the 'puncher's chance' approach and turn it into his entire fight plan.
All open fights but, IMO:
Prime Bowe would beat both
Ruddock would lose to both
Mercer would beat both
Morrisson beats Wilder and loses to AJ
Moorer loses to both
Tua loses to both
Wilder's power and sudden moments of aggression will make him dangerous in any era, he would be a fun addition for the 90s more aggressive style. Joshua's stiff robotic style and total lack of chin makes him very vulnerable in the 90s.
I'll say it once and I'll say it again. Everyone overrates the past. The modern heavyweights could compete, not necessarily win, in any era. I would give Wilder and Joshua a good chance versus all of those fighters. Would be curious if Wilder could dent a prime McCall, Mercer, or Tua's chin.
Wilder hits too hard and at his peak (around 215 lbs) would be live in any era just based on how hard he hits & his insane athleticism.
He may not be the prettiest boxer, but he eventually lands his punch on everybody, including the extremely slick Fury.
AJ is too vulnerable.
He'd be like Frank Bruno, a great domestic level heavyweight, who gets folded over by the top guys like Tyson, Lennox, and Bowe.
Wilder would currently right now, or on his latest form i.e last fight.
Would do better than Joshua in the 90's. Due to his aggression and power.
But he good few fighters would beat him, or out box him easily.
Joshua stylistically, I don't think would do that well during the 90's. Because he lacks inside game, and struggles to fight a good big man styled fight.
Wilder does not fight well on the inside, but still from mid-range to long range he is extremely aggressive.
That is a hallmark or traits of fighters today at elite level, they seem to be less aggressive.
The 90's heavyweights for the most part were extremely aggressive, all of them. Even fighters like Lennox Lewis who at the time, was labelled as a less aggressive fighter 'Go and check his fights'. He was more aggressive than 99.9% of the heavyweights active today.
Tyson Fury has displayed aggression at elite level, but he is all over the place with it 'Unsophisticated'.
Wilder has proven his durability tbf, I think he’d be competitive in the 90’s. AJ not so much, I think he’s far too vulnerable both physically and mentally.