Comments Thread For: Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker: Afterthoughts

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

They can’t all be classics. They were never all going to be knockouts. For now, through 21 fights and the collection of three major alphabet titles, they have all been wins for the UK’s Anthony Joshua who added the WBO belt to the WBA and IBF straps. Joseph Parker didn’t make it easy last weekend.
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[P4Pdunny]

decent article, hopefully AJ and Wilder get it on soon

[Redgloveman]

Joshua did say repeatedly before the Parker fight that it would be "technical". I think he executed his game plan and won without getting into trouble, so credit to him for that.

The problem for him is that he seems to want to use a Klitschko-like safety first style but doesn't seem to have the gas tank for it. He had moments where he looked tired even against Parker, who put very little real pressure on and allowed Joshua to fight at his own pace. I think there are always going to be weaknesses that Joshua offers to his opponents around the middle rounds. His boxing skills are underrated by posters on these boards, but he does show vulnerability that Wilder might exploit.

[bluemax]

Joshua should fight Wilder next but won't. He'll continue to pad his record making millions doing it. Can't blame him, in the end it's all about the money. Why risk this undefeated record against a murderous puncher like Wilder when he can continue to fight powderpuff opponents. I'd love to see him fight Ortiz but that won't happen either. In my mind Wilder is taking on all comers while Joshua is cherry picking opponents

[Butch.McRae]

Joshua should fight Wilder next but won't. He'll continue to pad his record making millions doing it. Can't blame him, in the end it's all about the money. Why risk this undefeated record against a murderous puncher like Wilder when he can continue to fight powderpuff opponents. I'd love to see him fight Ortiz but that won't happen either. In my mind Wilder is taking on all comers while Joshua is cherry picking opponents

That may be true for Wilder now that his team is confident in his ability but he spent a long time cherry picking. But it's true that now he seems willing to fight anybody. Beating Ortiz would make anybody feel that way lol

Btw I don't think Joshua is cherry picking. His last fight was a mandatory and Parker had a belt, so you can't hate on that too much. If he doesn't fight Wilder next, then he can rightly be criticized for ducking. We shall see.

[Marvlus Marv]

The boxing fans lost out. Both guys talked a big game yet we ended up with a damp squib. Neither fighter showed any urgency and Parker was more than happy to back pedal for 12 rounds and collect his healthy cheque. They both owe the paying punters a freebie.

[Redgloveman]

The boxing fans lost out. Both guys talked a big game yet we ended up with a damp squib. Neither fighter showed any urgency and Parker was more than happy to back pedal for 12 rounds and collect his healthy cheque. They both owe the paying punters a freebie.

It looked to me like Parker was boxing not to get knocked out rather than to win. He even said in his post-fight interview

"I didn't go down, did I?"

Having said that, I would mention that Parker seems like a genuine and down-to-earth guy after the interview. He didn't make any excuses or blame his elbow surgery etc. etc.

I think Joshua was content to box to a straightforward win rather than put himself in danger trying to knock Parker out. He was putting himself into positions to unload on Parker without ever really being willing to let his hands go. Probably due not trusting his own gas-tank

I agree with Butch that you can't really hate on Joshua's record given where he is after 22 fights. I do believe him when he says that he wants to unify.

If the fight with Wilder doesn't happen then we can talk about ducking etc. etc. I think it'll happen within 2 fights if not next.

[Rubber Ducky]

Sometimes winning and doing so comprehensively is more important than winning in an exciting manner. Joshua can't keep having fights like the Wlad fight if he is to have a long career. He'd be shot before 30 if all he had was back to back wars.

Even exciting fighters in their prime like Tyson had the odd snoozefest. Watch Tyson/Smith as an example.

Also you have to remember it was Joshua who was the aggressor against Parker. The ref also didn't help matters by stopping a lot of exchanges on the inside and Parker clearly was partly at fault too. He chose to box cautiously, he chose to clinch a lot of the time too, by ducking under AJ's left forearm in close to initiate a clinch when Joshua was trying to use his forearm to create space the throw on the inside.

[juggernaut666]

Joshua should fight Wilder next but won't. He'll continue to pad his record making millions doing it. Can't blame him, in the end it's all about the money. Why risk this undefeated record against a murderous puncher like Wilder when he can continue to fight powderpuff opponents. I'd love to see him fight Ortiz but that won't happen either. In my mind Wilder is taking on all comers while Joshua is cherry picking opponents

Yea taking on all comers , the Stivernes and Arreolas are top elite competition .

Lets not forget Kownacki and undefeated Breazeale and Whyte waiting in the wings , while Joshua pads his record against guys outside the top 20. Klitchko wasnt even a champion when he fought him the bum beater .

AJ fanboys ,ha who has he fought recently and how come he has no credible wins on his resume compared to 40 fight Wilder who cleaned out the entire division and is a unified 4 belt champion .

Poor AJ fanbase the guy really needs to move it ,his career will be over soon . Boxing since late 2013 and hasnt fought anyone of value yet , the padding of his resume will go on.

[Scary]

It could probably have been scored a draw, if you disregard this whole "marketable fighter".

But Wilder was almost KO'd. So I really hope we'll get that one fight.