Comments Thread For: Joshua vs. Wilder Might Have Just Gone From Want to Need

[P4Pdunny]

this fight doesn't happen this year

[lion33lit]

I don’t think it has gotten too much for AJ, but there is a surgical air about him, I wasn’t surprised to hear he’s been getting advice from Wlad.

Not often credited is that AJ has been extremely well managed, could not have had a better growth path to Wilder. The Parker fight was exactly what he needed to prove he can focus for 12 rounds. He’ll definitely fight Miller next to get his focus back into fighting an American style. He won’t be able to replicate the style of win over Parker when he fights Wilder, because he won’t have the reach advantage. But, something that hasn’t been mentioned at all was AJs foot speed against Parker, Parker is very quick on his feet, and he chased AJ and AJ looked very sound moving, if he maintains or even improves that the only weapon left for Wilder is the arguably bigger punch. But as we’ve seen over and over timing beats speed every time and he is going to relish exploiting Wilders boxing ill-discipline. Fascinating fight

I can't disagree with a thing youve said here, except for not wanting Hearn giving Baby Back Ribs Miller a shot.......AJ has 4 belts - he's no longer allowed breathing space/room to fine tune anything anymore while FORCING the best available prime opposition to begrudgingly wait, the only dictation AJ's allowed to have is to simply have himself ready (in season and out of season) to fight the VERY BEST - anytime anywhere - again, no excuses are allowed anymore for the CHAMP - he's not a journeyman, an amateur or even a prestiged olympian.

Those belts signify & represent another level of fighter: The Very Best Mentally & Physically with a promoter that should oblige in working his damndest to seek out the Next Top Dog in the division and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Hearn (especially) & AJ seem to rely on the "well managed" trajectory that theyve so brilliantly orchestrated to now use as a means of avoidance and calling shots, while cleverly making Team-Wilder out to be the culprits.....theyre not....Hearn is the Don-Gor-Gon to make it ALL happen....but for the moment, he wants more rounds for AJ without Wilder at the opposite corner for some more "fine tuning."

[raione]

[john l]

The demand will never be higher and the iron will never be hotter. 2 heavily flawed undefeated punchers at the top of their game. This one can't marinate or everyone loses....

Jesus I wish EVERY fan had this attitude.Boxing would be MUCH better off.

[john l]

this fight doesn't happen this year

Not sayin your wrong but I SURE AS HE LL hope so.

[sportbuddha]

I can't disagree with a thing youve said here, except for not wanting Hearn giving Baby Back Ribs Miller a shot.......AJ has 4 belts - he's no longer allowed breathing space/room to fine tune anything anymore while FORCING the best available prime opposition to begrudgingly wait, the only dictation AJ's allowed to have is to simply have himself ready (in season and out of season) to fight the VERY BEST - anytime anywhere - again, no excuses are allowed anymore for the CHAMP - he's not a journeyman, an amateur or even a prestiged olympian.

Those belts signify & represent another level of fighter: The Very Best Mentally & Physically with a promoter that should oblige in working his damndest to seek out the Next Top Dog in the division and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Hearn (especially) & AJ seem to rely on the "well managed" trajectory that theyve so brilliantly orchestrated to now use as a means of avoidance and calling shots, while cleverly making Team-Wilder out to be the culprits.....theyre not....Hearn is the Don-Gor-Gon to make it ALL happen....but for the moment, he wants more rounds for AJ without Wilder at the opposite corner for some more "fine tuning."

I agree, this is the mentality we want from a champ. However, even great and entertaining fighters fill out their records. From a sports science perspective you can't be 'peak' all the time. It's not just the physical strain in staying in the best shape, it's the mental stress of the fight camps, promo, prep etc. Both fighters are looking good in every fight so they seem to have good regimes.

As is always the case, there are three truths to the Wilder vs AJ negotiations. Each sides version of events and the truth. I suspect they have both been to blame at different stages for a slow progress. I can understand fans being impatient, we got royally screwed on May vs Pac, but I don't see this playing out that way. I don't think there is any strategy to age Wilder by 5 years like May did to Pac. Probably the biggest problem is too many ego's in the room, the names Finkel, Haymon, Hearn, Wilder, Johsua - all having their say - is a recipe for a disaster.

I believe from a business perspective Hearn has got this right. Miller in NY would give AJ more exposure in the US. Wilder vs another live body, would get more interest because of his last two impressive KO's. What I'm say is there is momentum in mainstream interest, but it hasn't peaked like it has for us boxing fans. They could probably go 3x more fights each before every bar is having to sell tickets at the door (like May vs Pac) but they won't get away with that and of the two promoters I'd say Finkel would be the more nervous that the longer they wait, the more likely a good opponent will provide a banana skin for Wilder.

What it boils down to is, it'll happen and we won't be waiting too long and I think we definitely agree we can't wait for that

[Boxing lives]

Aj indeed after 4 rounds didn't look very dominant. He seemed to lack that fire but I also felt that he was not in danger of losing like say GGG was vs Jacobs.

I have massive respect for Fury. He's not the biggest puncher but has subtle feints and movements that makes you think/ react or prevents you from going all in. I recall his early days and also his KD vs Cunningham. He did mess about a bit too much in that fight though!

Yeah he didn't respect Cunningham at all. No way in hell he'd fight Wilder or AJ that way. He'd fight very technical in those but he needs to get in the ring and see what he's working with right now first.

[drunken fist]

If only boxing media looks at the lower division past featherweights.