Are Anthony Joshua's handlers progressing him along perfectly?

[KillaCamNZ]

Fights against guys like Whyte are considered calculated risks these days? Geez, fighters really are wrapped in cotton wool.

[BostonGuy]

Great thread topic. The answer to your question is: the jury's still out.

In terms of development, I think Joshua was able to learn and build his skills up with his amateur experience whereas as Wilder (even though he did compete and win an Olympic medal) basically had to learn 'on the job' during this professional career.

In terms of matchmaking, Joshua's team has moved him along at a efficient and measured pace and has seized opportunities as they have presented themselves. I don't think that they wanted him to fight for a title so early on - but the opportunity presented itself in Charles Martin. Now after two 'soft touch' title defenses, Joshua is at a high enough level to compete against one of most successful HW champions in recent history. The money AJ will make for this fight is worth the risk even if he loses. The absolute worst case scenario would be Klitschko putting a Joe Calzaghe-Jeff Lacy schooling on him; but I think the chance of that is remote.

With Wilder (I was highly critical of the matchmaking - I even emailed his manager Jay Deas to complain to which he responded), I think, in hindsight they're matchmaking has been almost perfect. Deontay Wilder boosts an impressive 37-0 (36 KOs) record, has won the prestigious WBC title and has cultivated a good fan following. He's also defended the title 4 times since he won it in early 2015.

With Deontay Wilder he needed the additional time to develop his skills. I think now he's at a point where his skills are at a decent level - not the best and most polished - but adequate enough where his athleticism, power and confidence can compensate for any lackthereof. I think the best still yet to come for Wilder. His team is still matching him up carefully but I think they will seek out the big money and risky fights in 2017.

[mlac]

no fighting guys that are not there to fight back and will look for a way out at the earliest opportunity is not beneficial in any way shape or form.

(apart from exciting casual fan's that will flock to see you KO bum after bum)

[b00g13man]

I've been unimpressed with his opposition this year, but you can't fault his team from a £££ perspective.

[Banko Villas]

He is being handled perfectly.

[Ray*]

I think Joshua is going along at the right pace, he hasn't done the 30-0 sort of bums that a lot of british fighters do before the step it up, fighting Wlad isn't that much of a risk IMO. If he loses people would say its Wlad and if he wins they would talk wlad up etc.

With Wilder i think his progression is a lot more slower, he hasn't had the sort of better opponents i would expect him to have but i could still see him improving or doing better than Joshua, I just hope he gets the right sort of opponents who can make sure gauge if he isnt the next Michael Grant.

[Randall Cunning]

Think the Klitschko fight is a couple of fights too early, but they had the opportunity and took it. Got a tough year ahead of him, possibly 3 Top 10 fighters, but at the end of it he'll probably be the biggest sports star in the UK

[VatoMulatto]

It's not like Tyson, Lewis, Wlad...etc had world class fighters on their record after 18 fights. AJ is the IBF champ so people wants him to take on the best in the divsion and rightfully so but I think maybe he became champ too early against a boxer who wasn't even champ material IMO.

I like AJ and I hope he's the real deal already, but I would've liked to see him against someone like Pulev before taking on Wlad just to see how he handles a legitimate threat.

[Randall Cunning]

It's not like Tyson, Lewis, Wlad...etc had world class fighters on their record after 18 fights. AJ is the IBF champ so people wants him to take on the best in the divsion and rightfully so but I think maybe he became champ too early against a boxer who wasn't even champ material IMO.

I like AJ and I hope he's the real deal already, but I would've liked to see him against someone like Pulev before taking on Wlad just to see how he handles a legitimate threat.

Yep Pulev would have been perfect instead of Molina. I believe they tried to get him? Didn't want it. Pulev must have some foresight powers

[Fury4daWIN]

The Wlad fight's quite a stepup from the nobodies he's been fighting thus far. Could pay off or it could backfire Price/Thompson style. Ideally I'd have liked to have seen Joshua taking on a couple of the top tenners like Jennings or Pulev before Wlad, but if he wins it's all moot really.