Wilder, Fury and Joshua v Top 2 HW's

[Robbie Barrett]

Following comments that Joshua hasn't ever fought any top 2 HW, I thought I look into whether or not any of Wilder, Fury or Joshua had fought Top 2's, and at what stage of their pro careers they fought them.

I'm basing the rankings on The Ring Annual Top 10's and TBRB (only has 2012 onwards). I think these are the most reputable ranking systems. No Organisational rankings.

I'm doing two stats - 1. versus fighters have been Top 2 at any time during their career (stat A)
and 2. versus fighters who were top 2 at the time of the fight (stat B)

Fights only fall into one of the two categories. If they were top 2 at the time of the fight, that doesn't mean an extra point to stat A.

Wilder - Professional debut 15 November 2008
A. v Stiverne. - Wilder's 33rd Professional fight
B. v Fury (twice) - Wilder 41st and 44th fights, respectively.
Total - 3
First Top 2 - 33rd fight.

Fury - Professional debut 6 December 2008.
A. None.
B. v Wilder*, v Klitschko. Fury's 25th and 31st fights, respectively.
*Wilder was #3 at time of 1st fight.
Total - 2
First Top 2 - 25th fight.

Joshua - Professional debut 5 October 2013.
A. v Povetkin, v Pulev.
B. v Klitschko, v Ruiz 2 - Joshua's 19th and 24th fights, respectively.
Total - 4
First Top 2 - 19th fight.

Fury was ranked 8th by TBRB before the first Wilder fight and Wilder was 2. Looks like you're going by the December 2018 ratings which were after the fight.

[OnlytheTruth]

I consider Usyk a top guy but what that other poster is saying is a lie , that’s what he does on here . I think Usyk is a lot better then Parker , the Chisora fight proved it . But the majority on here doesn’t see Usyk as a top guy but in reality it will be a top win for A.J if he gets to defeat him .

I mean, he's a top Cruiserweight. His name has carried him into the HW and his WBO title has set him up immediately. Can't knock the guy for trying - I just don't think he's ready for any of the top 3 HW's.

Witherspoon - ok, fine. Chisora, strong performance but I wasn't convinced because Chisora was just wild, as usual. Joyce - meh. Don't want to see it. I honestly think a Ruiz would be a good acid test for at HW before trying to take on Fury, Joshua or possibly Wilder.

[removed]

OnlyTheNonce is going to be really upset when Fury knocks his idol spark out!

You love to see it!!

[OnlytheTruth]

Fury was ranked 8th by TBRB before the first Wilder fight and Wilder was 2. Looks like you're going by the December 2018 ratings which were after the fight.

You're absolutely right. I'll edit the post.

[QueensburyRules]

- -AJ the clear #1 for years actually won and defended titles loony Fury busted up in his melt down. The poor boy still has Zer0 title defenses, ie none, nunca, 0.00, the biggest dosser in boxing. Boxing timeline 101...

[Toffee]

Stiverne was really ranked top 2?

And people want to argue about Ruiz???

[15round]

Stick to the facts. Fury got the better of Wilder in two fights but until there is a rubber match Wilder is still #2. Joshua got pounded down by a chubby guy that took up boxing as a kid because nobody would pick him for backyard football or basketball games. Ruiz was not in as good of boxing shape for the Arreola fight, but he was much closer to being knocked down by Arreola than in the rematch with Joshua. Fury is still king until Joshua fights him or Wilder. Arreola's performance against Ruiz or Ruiz lack of performance however you see it did nothing to help Joshua's ranking. Years from now people will only remember Ruiz getting off the canvas and beating Joshua down and a shorter chubby guy walking down Joshua. Also on the same night Ruiz and Arreola fought you had Parker and Chisora who gave Parker all he could handle. Ruiz and Parker are the only Joshua opponents that he has not stopped. What does that say about his quality of opposition?

Fury is undisputed number #1. Wilder has a stronger case therefore to be #2 and that leaves #3 for Joshua. Wilder has fought #1 twice. Joshua hasn't fought anyone significant recently and beat an old Klitschko who could only hold the last few years of his career. Don't believe all the hype "Fast Eddie" stirs up. Now he wants Wilder to fight Ruiz so he can eliminate them as opponents for Joshua and the Fury fight won't happen anytime soon. Who does that leave? Parker or Chisora would make Joshua look good.

[removed]

- -AJ the clear #1 for years actually won and defended titles loony Fury busted up in his melt down. The poor boy still has Zer0 title defenses, ie none, nunca, 0.00, the biggest dosser in boxing. Boxing timeline 101...

Wrong, Fury has defended the lineal title multiple times.

If Fury is the biggest dosser in boxing, what does that make your hero Wilder?

Fury is the king of boxing, and will cement his title when he KO's the big useless weight-lifter.

[OnlytheTruth]

Stick to the facts. Fury got the better of Wilder in two fights but until there is a rubber match Wilder is still #2. Joshua got pounded down by a chubby guy that took up boxing as a kid because nobody would pick him for backyard football or basketball games. Ruiz was not in as good of boxing shape for the Arreola fight, but he was much closer to being knocked down by Arreola than in the rematch with Joshua. Fury is still king until Joshua fights him or Wilder. Arreola's performance against Ruiz or Ruiz lack of performance however you see it did nothing to help Joshua's ranking. Years from now people will only remember Ruiz getting off the canvas and beating Joshua down and a shorter chubby guy walking down Joshua. Also on the same night Ruiz and Arreola fought you had Parker and Chisora who gave Parker all he could handle. Ruiz and Parker are the only Joshua opponents that he has not stopped. What does that say about his quality of opposition?

Fury is undisputed number #1. Wilder has a stronger case therefore to be #2 and that leaves #3 for Joshua. Wilder has fought #1 twice. Joshua hasn't fought anyone significant recently and beat an old Klitschko who could only hold the last few years of his career. Don't believe all the hype "Fast Eddie" stirs up. Now he wants Wilder to fight Ruiz so he can eliminate them as opponents for Joshua and the Fury fight won't happen anytime soon. Who does that leave? Parker or Chisora would make Joshua look good.

'Stick to the facts'

Proceeds to blow his load talking about Fury and Wilder - presenting no facts.

[_Rexy_]

TBRB #1 October 2013 - October 2014 (12 months).
TBRB #2 November 2014 - December 2014

That's longer than Wilder has ever been #1 and they were both very much active during those times.

It was seven years ago. But you Hearniacs do love taking elderly scalps