Legit question - Was that fight stopped prematurely?

[The Gambler1981]

I wouldn't have an issue with the stoppage if Joshua landed another head snapping shot in that final flurry, but he didn't.

Wlad was blocking and slipping effectively. Which showed to me that he was fit to continue.

I don't disagree that Wlad didn't get hit clean at all in that last stretch.

Still Wlad was trapped on the ropes and Joshua was throwing non-stop, generally after a couple knockdowns and huge shots a fight almost always gets stopped right there. Given the circumstances I consider it fair even without another punch really landing because a fight gets stopped there like 97/100.

[stiff_back]

It was late in the 11th round man and dude is 41 he had to be feeling it. It was certainly that first uppercut that put him into trouble but he had nothing left to really recover with.

If Wlad survived the 12th would have been interesting because Joshua was blowing his wad.

Should you make stoppage decisions based of a fighter's age? I think too many refs make decisions based on preconceived notions. Shouldn't you treat them the same at the start of the fight and see how it plays out?

I think referees should just stick to what they see in front of them and how much punishment a guy's taken over a fight.

[leonitus]

You're absolutely correct!

I am amazed the ref stopped it when AJ was missing his shots! AJ was punching himself out yet again.

[The Gambler1981]

Should you make stoppage decisions based of a fighter's age? I think too many refs make decisions based on preconceived notions. Shouldn't you treat them the same at the start of the fight and see how it plays out?

I think referees should just stick to what they see in front of them and how much punishment a guy's taken over a fight.

That was in relation to Wlad having to be tired at that point and just not having the juice to really survive. That really isn't going into the decision to stop it other than Wlad fell back to the ropes and was trapped unable to throw or really hold.

He ate huge shots that round was down twice and was trapped on the ropes with a huge man winging shots at will. Pretty much a fight always get stopped in that situation regardless if anything big really lands.

[ironmt]

It was a very good stoppage.

[betmen]

no the stoppage was right, wlad already had the rubber legs in the first kd. ref was generous to let him continue after the 2nd kd. and wlad had history of never recuperating in this kind of situation.

[Scipio2009]

Yes, the fight was stopped early, but Klitschko was already in a world of hurt; with another minute left and Klitschko stuck on the ropes, things could've gotten ugly real quick.

It should be noted that no one in either camp objected to the ref stepping in early

[leonitus]

Yes, not a single punch landed on Wlad in that last run AJ tried when Wlad got up, it looked like he was putting pressure but wlad was able to see it coming and feel/sense it and was slipping all those punches not a single punch landed (THIS IS EFFECTIVELY PROTECTION YOURSELF).

No reason to stop that fight at that time. Not saying the ref is bought or anything was just a bad premature call the ref got caught up in the SENSE/FEEL of the fight that AJ had wlad at his mercy but when you take a look at it it was just wlad slipping punching trying to recoupe and AJ trying to pull a Oscar De La Hoya with his punches that dont matter to get it called adn it worked. AJ worked the ref for the victory didnt take it from wlad.

The truth. The sad fact is how little these supposed fans of the sport know and understand. Some people are saying well he's 41 blah blah then they shouldn't have sanctioned the ****ing fight! But they did so let them fight as equals! Joshua was out on his feet and was correctly allowed to continue. Ref wasn't bought but it was a poor decision.

[leonitus]

Yes, the fight was stopped early, but Klitschko was already in a world of hurt; with another minute left and Klitschko stuck on the ropes, things could've gotten ugly real quick.

It should be noted that no one in either camp objected to the ref stepping in early

Well why would Joshua's camp object?
Klitschko's camp won't because they know it would turn public opinion against them immediately and they're far too professional to do it in the immediate aftermath.
Bull**** decision, it's a title fight ffs

[Butt stuff]

Ref was looking for a stoppage imo, after the previous drama. Isn't the worst stoppage but Wlad was catching and slipping punches.