Comments Thread For: Joshua Plays Down Talk of Being Ready For Chisora

[Slowhand]

I think though that AJ is clearly better than Price.

But yes, he needs rounds. And that's the most difficult thing to get him if they can't rush him. There are very few good opponents out there who would be willing to take on AJ for little money at the moment.

Although someone like TT would be really good for him late this year or early next year. Or someone else like Fres Oquendo, Oliver McCall, Jovo Pudar and that lot. Some of them would give him some rounds and throw a little something back without actually being a big threat.

TT as in Tony Thompson..? HeŽd eat Joshua for breakfast at this point. Even Oquendo would probably be too much. Joshua has talent but he still makes way too many mistakes to be fighting those guys. Give him two years and maybe ten more fights, then he might be ready to fight some real contenders.

[LacedUp]

TT as in Tony Thompson..? HeŽd eat Joshua for breakfast at this point. Even Oquendo would probably be too much. Joshua has talent but he still makes way too many mistakes to be fighting those guys. Give him two years and maybe ten more fights, then he might be ready to fight some real contenders.

At this point perhaps. But I meant as in the start of next year, those are the kinds of opponents that he should be looking to fight.

I don't think TT or Oquendo would be way too much for Joshua at this point, though. I'd fancy him to beat both of them.

[cameltoe]

It's just nice to have a heavyweight show up in shape and appear to be taking things seriously.

I think the question mark is still the defence, and how he reacts to getting hit. Offensively he appears to be progressing nicely but it's going to be difficult to tell for a while (until he fights someone more dangerous) how well he can avoid getting hit.

What I like most about him is his composure. He seems to know naturally not to push too hard for the KO and risk being hurt himself- he's quite happy to bide his time. You don't see it that often with heavyweight prospects. Clearly a clever kid.

[kafkod]

That's crazy talk from Hearn. So far so good, but AJ has only had 4 pro fights, and none went past the second round.
There are so many questions still to be answered. EG, can he take a punch without the headgear, and does he have the stamina to go 10/12 hard rounds if necessary. And you can bet that, at some point, it will be necessary.
If I was handling AJ I wouldn't even be thinking, let alone talking, about putting him in with a top 10 ranked guy like Chisora for at least another couple of years.
He's only 24 yo, so why rush it?