Comments Thread For: Joshua Does Not Expect Historical Rep Like Ali, Foreman, Holmes

[Butch.McRae]

Please tell me you really dont think any version of Wlad would be an easier fight for Tyson in 1988 than sub 200 pound Spinks who had no power next to the 6'6 Klitchko and who wouldn't be intimidated?

Well I wouldn't take the size issue into consideration. It was a different era. The super heavyweights came later. I just think if we look at the level of difficulty, Joshua had a taller task.

Don't think it's really arguable.

[Poppo168]

Exactly what I was thinking. If he runs the table on his four contenders (Parker, Wilder, Ortiz, and Fury) he surpasses Tyson, Holyfield, and Lewis in my book. I don't recall any of them beating a guy as good as the one he just beat. They all fought each other really late. There's just so much nostalgia around them and that era that's disconnected from reality imo.

MAYBE ahead of Tyson in terms of resume but even then i'm dubious, Lennox and Holyfield nahh, they'd need some more wins to achieve that.

[Butch.McRae]

MAYBE ahead of Tyson in terms of resume but even then i'm dubious, Lennox and Holyfield nahh, they'd need some more wins to achieve that.

Both were well traveled lol so I take that as a valid point. But if he keeps stopping guys, it'll be hard to argue against him.

[Juof]

it's a very exciting time for the heavyweights, hopefully the olympic champions from 2016 and the future 2020/2024 heavyweights breed excitement for years to come

[bojangles1987]

He'll almost definitely fail to match Ali because Ali's career is basically impossible for any heavyweight to match.The competition just isn't there like Ali took on and beat over 2 decades.

Having Wlad on his record is a hell of a start, though. If Joshua can reign well over a solid era, he can join the top notch outside of Ali though. Obviously he has a LONG way to go, though.

[bluepete]

Exactly what I was thinking. If he runs the table on his four contenders (Parker, Wilder, Ortiz, and Fury) he surpasses Tyson, Holyfield, and Lewis in my book. I don't recall any of them beating a guy as good as the one he just beat. They all fought each other really late. There's just so much nostalgia around them and that era that's disconnected from reality imo.

He beat he's own version of Wlad in Holmes. Holmes may not have been so imposing but had lost two close ones to an awkward guy. Maybe a 41 year old Wlad was better than a 38 year old Holmes. But since he came back many years later, still beat Mercer and extended Holyfield, Holmes was still good. Factor in that Tyson wiped him out, barely taking a shot unlike Joshua.

[Gillie]

Exactly what I was thinking. If he runs the table on his four contenders (Parker, Wilder, Ortiz, and Fury) he surpasses Tyson, Holyfield, and Lewis in my book. I don't recall any of them beating a guy as good as the one he just beat. They all fought each other really late. There's just so much nostalgia around them and that era that's disconnected from reality imo.

If he could pull that off, especially consecutively, then I would tend to agree with you.

[soul_survivor]

If AJ unifies all the belts and defends them for a long period of time, then he deserves to be in the conversation in that level below Ali, Holmes, Foreman etc.

[whatismyname]

If he beats fury, Wilder and Parker...those are big ifs though

[Butch.McRae]

He beat he's own version of Wlad in Holmes. Holmes may not have been so imposing but had lost two close ones to an awkward guy. Maybe a 41 year old Wlad was better than a 38 year old Holmes. But since he came back many years later, still beat Mercer and extended Holyfield, Holmes was still good. Factor in that Tyson wiped him out, barely taking a shot unlike Joshua.

All definitely valid points that could be debated. But I think WK is better as an older fighter due his style (defensive/cautious). And I think is better than Holmes was at 38. I mean even analyzing the shot he dropped Joshua with, you see the class he still possesses (he faints him, slaps the left hand out of the way, to clear room for a straight right.) It was so slick and shows how mentally sharp he was.

It is true Tyson just overwhelmed Holmes, but isn't that mostly due to the zero KO threat? Holmes had little to no power (especially then). But I guess Tyson never cared about threats lol

Both were impressive, but I think Joshua's was better.