Anthony Joshua has become a (very) Poor man's Wladamir Klitschko

[low blows]

Both of these guys had similar innate weaknesses, poor punch resistance, stamina issues when pushed, losing to shorter guys with handspeed.

So it made sense when they tried to use Wlads template for AJ.

However its not worked and let me point out the differences.

1. Jab

Wladamir jab was a punishing spear of a jab that was enough to end fights on its own. It was a sort of forcefield for Wlad that was difficult tfor opponents to deal with, and broke them down. Joshuas jab is wak, forced out, less dynamic and less accurate.

2. Clinch game

Wladamir CLINCHKO as we used to call him, but you know what, it worked. If an opponent got past Wlads jab somehow they would find themselves locked in a bear hug style clinch having their energy sapped until the ref broke them and put them back behind the jab. Wlad was an expert at squeezing opponents necks in the clinch, and leaning all of his 245lbs on their necks to the point of lifting himself off the floor.

3. Development fights.

Wladamir developed his style over a few years, against mostly low threat opponents, Joshua is attempting to learn against the best of the division

4. Robert Mcracken doesn't understand Joshuas weaknesses.

Manny steward knew Wlad was a vulnerable fighter, Mcracken doesn't seem to want to admit it fully and as a result he won't commit to a fully low risk style.

Yes he would need to go back a few levels, after Wlad lost back to back in WBO title fights he went and fought Fabio Moli who was called Flabbyio on various message boards, then he went and fought a Cuban tweener who couldn't punch. After that it was Touch of Stiff and then he gambled fighting Peter.

Joshua can't go back to rookie ball and fight a Moli type and then slowly build up the quality of fighter because Hearn has contract which has pay rates too high for that rebuild.

[paulf]

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