Comments Thread For: Joshua's Next Fight Still on Track For March in Saudi Arabia: Hrgovic, Zhang, Ngannou Mentioned as Possible Foes

[Southpaw16]

I’ve gained a lot of respect for AJ and have become a fan, because he seems to be the guy who actually wants the smoke. Who the hell is lining up to fight Filip Hrgovic? Who else would have taken that first Usyk fight without being offered an absurd amount of money? Who was wanting Otto Wallin? He just fought three times in a year. Also, AJ initially threw cold water on any Ngannou fight when nobody though Ngannou was credible, while Fury jumped at the fight. AJ is only entertaining the Ngannou scrap now the guy is a proven credible opponent.

[pollywog]

I’ve gained a lot of respect for AJ and have become a fan, because he seems to be the guy who actually wants the smoke. Who the hell is lining up to fight Filip Hrgovic? Who else would have taken that first Usyk fight without being offered an absurd amount of money? Who was wanting Otto Wallin? He just fought three times in a year. Also, AJ initially threw cold water on any Ngannou fight when nobody though Ngannou was credible, while Fury jumped at the fight. AJ is only entertaining the Ngannou scrap now the guy is a proven credible opponent.

Parker is the one calling out all comers and wants all the smoke!

*Parker fought 4 times last year.
*Took on and beat Dr Sleep.
* Would have no problem lining up Hrgovic but he's been cherry picked for A-Side Joshy to pop.
*Wallin offers nobody nothing worth proving.
*AJ wont go near Ngannou after seeing what he did to Fury.

Its great you're an AJ fan and respect what he's done. I'll be a fan and respect him when he takes on and beats a credible opponent.

His last credible opponent was Usyk and he got exposed both times, lost the belts and couldnt win them back again.

AJ don't want smoke unless its someone blowing it up his ass.

[kiaba360]

Eddie C*nt was joking about Fury-Ngannou, but seeing the money he made a U-turn. Yet, I doubt it'll be Francis, because he has a tough head and is strong and I doubt it will be Zhang because he punches sharp and fast. It will be Filip because he is slow and inactive in the ring. It is just talking from Eddie's side to hype the fight. And AJ already said that he will aim at some belt, but not all of them, so that also points to Hrgovic and the scrapped IBF-one they will be fighting for.

Blame Fury for looking like absolute dog****, in a fight he had no business taking. His performance allowed Ngannou to gain a little credibility, and now Ngannou is ranked by the WBC. AJ should leave Ngannou alone.

[Boxviewer]

I think Joshua beats them all. Zhang has power but like Wallin he is much slower than Usyk & would be much easier to hit. Zhang is also 40. I thought Zhang beat Hrgovic in a close fight. I think Joshua obliterates Ngganou. I need to see Joyce’s next fight with a legit opponent to see if his chin was finally cracked after taking bombs from Dubois & Parker before the Zhang fights. I need to see Zhang in with other contenders. Joyce’s chin held up in the first fight. It was his swollen eye that got the fight stopped. Those 3 fights may have shortened Joyce’s career. His chin may have finally been cracked by the time the first Zhang fight was done. I’m still not sure how good Hrgovic is as Zhang is the only real contender I have seen him fight. Dempsey McKean is relatively untested & De Mori is a can nowadays. I believe Joshua should beat any of the 3 fighters being considered.

I completely agree with you here. AJ has more skills, speed and power than all three fighters. People are shouting Zhang now and I am quite sure that if AJ destroys him the same people will bring up his age.

[PRINCEKOOL]

If one of the World title's becomes vacate, then Joshua will most likely fight Hrgovic 'This seems like a straight forward fight to make, and very good match making for Joshua'.

Hrgovic is undefeated, and it will be a World title fight.

If for whatever reason, no World title's are made vacate then? Joshua must continue to build momentum.

Zhang is the type of fight, a World Champion should be facing 'But lets all be honest, do you guys think Fury would fight Zhang? Zhang out weigh's Fury, Zhang is a more accomplished Amateur fighter than Fury, good durability and proven power'.

If Anthony Joshua is to fight Zhang, all he is doing is fighting off both Tyson Fury's and Usyk's nearest competition for them 'That is essentially what Joshua will be doing'.

Joshua has did this before, he fought the version of Kiltschko who Fury should of fought in their scheduled rematch 'The only reason why Joshua fought Kiltschko, was because Tyson Fury did not follow through with his rematch vs Kiltschko, unfortunately due to his circumstance'.

I personally think Team Joshua should still pursue the Wilder fight, just get that guy out of the way 'And shut up all the hardcore Fury cronies, who seem to still think Wilder is Doomsday'.

If Eddie Hearn has to? Then make that fight back in the UK.

Wilder has just went 12 rounds with Parker, Wilder did not win the fight 'But at-least he has gained some activity'. Wilder does not need to rebuild, he was not blasted out or beaten up brutally, and in according to himself? Wilder believes he did enough to win that fight.

Note: So the most reasonable fight to make next for Joshua seems to be Hrgovic, My personally fight that I think they should pursue is Deontay Wilder 'And the other fights which are also solid fights for Joshua moving forward are: Zhang, Ruiz Junior III, Parker II maybe, Kabayal, Ngannou.

From a pure boxing perspective, Hrgovic is most likely the most reasonable and beat fight to make. From a perspective of show business, story theme's, intrigue theater and drama then fights vs Wilder, Ruiz Junior and Nagnnou are the fights to make.

Fights which are just solid commendable fights for Joshua would vs Parker II and Kabayal.

All of those fights are top level fights 'Fights which really the World Champions at Heavyweights should be fighting, those are World level fights' etc.

[soul_survivor]

AJ v Ngannou would be a huge event...AJ v Hrgovic would end up being for a vacant title that real boxing fans should regard as a paper belt.

IMO however, the best and most fun match up would be AJ v Zhang.

[Marchegiano]

Fil for the IBF ... duh.

[brown_knight06]

I'm hoping for Zhang

[Roberto Vasquez]

He beat flip too by most accounts, but yes he was a bit of a punchbag too

Not according to this thread https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/b...govic-vs-zhang. Peope usually see what they want to see when they support a guy. But in any case Hrgovic is still unproven and in a way Zhang is too. Joyce is kind of a unique fighter who everyone lands huge shots on.

[hennanra1000]

I think what’s important is he has at least 3 fights a year even if its semi decent opponents.

Fury / Usyk have rematch clause so AJ is not fighting either of them in 2024 as they will delay the rematch for 6 months at least. The more AJ fights the better prepared he will be if and when those fights come around.

Joshua was at his best earlier in his career when he had high frequency of fights. He will always be vulnerable IMHO just as Wlad was but i think he gains respect by taking decent names with high turnover.

He should also stay with Ben Davison as it feels a bit that Derek James is triggering AJ overthinking and anyway will be busy rebuilding Charlo and Spence after losses. Davison seems to be building around AJ strengths rather than try to rebuild him from scratch.