It is worth it tonight. I don't usually like it when they stick shows on box office as it happens more and more nowadays when it's not such a decent card. But tonight you should definitely get your money's worth. The fights away from the 'big four' are not bad ones on paper either so the whole card is pretty decent. Cardle and Ryder both fighting for vacant British titles aswell so should be a good night of boxing.
Big statement from AJ tonight, basically knocking Johnston's head off in two Even for a relative cynic like me, that was hard to be unimpressed by. However we must remember Johnston has been beaten in 6 of his last 7 (I think) and his much heralded points defeat by Klitscho was 7 years ago so he's definitely a fighter well past his sell by date. Loads of potential with Joshua though, the lad can hit, if only we'll see him against a Price or Fury next up....
AJ has massive potential in the heavyweight division. They are finding it tricky to get him experience before the eventual world title shot, but he will need to start going in with seasoned guys now like Price. The problem for his development is that the heavyweight depth is minimal, so to fight for a world title with anyone bar Klitschko, he'd be massively fancied, even being so inexperienced. I hope they remain patient. I'd be thinking Chisora/Price/Tony Thompson and then be thinking about a world title shot.
If he knocks out Price or especially Chisora in the early rounds I'd be very impressed but lets wait and see that before we over herald him...
Yep, patience is required. Obviously there will be a media bandwagon growing each fight from here and we can't compare him with any greats yet but let's be clear- this kid is a world level fighter. A true athlete in the heavyweight division that has probably been missing since Lewis & Holyfield. He has to go and do it though, but he seems very level-headed and understands the journey.
'World level fighter'?!! He certainly could be, but that remains to be seen surely? What we want to see him in is a contest against meaningful opposition, then we can judge him accordingly, but beating bums and good fighters well past their sell by date doesn't, or shouldn't, grant him world class level status just yet. In my view anyway, potentially he COULD be yes, but not yet proven I'd say. We need to see more
It was very impressive by Joshua, the only thing that surprised me was how soon he dispatched Johnson I fully expected him to take Joshua some rounds. I don't know where they go with Joshua now he needs stepping up but the problem is the heavyweight division is so weak there aren't that many fighters out there who would be considered a step up. Fury won't take the fight in a million years, he's no.1 contender for Klitcshko's belt and he won't want to risk that position. Price would be an interesting one, at the very least he'd hit back, but he's fighting in July so probably won't be out again as soon as 12th September for Joshua. Chisora is an option or maybe someone like Charr or Arreola who have experience at higher levels?? Joshua is full of potential but quite rightly pointed out by Beefy isn't at world level yet, however in this day and age where we have such poor depth in the heavyweight division, he's probably only two fights away from a title fight! Deontay Wilder fights in a couple of weeks and when he comes through that his mandate it I think is Povetkin who is a good fighter. I my opinion they should be aiming Joshua for a shot at the loser of Wilder/Povetkin then onto a world title. If they move him on too slowly, he'll face criticism for not fighting anyone
Geez Smoke, he's just come off beating a human punching bag. Johnston may have had a chin in the past, but he showed yesterday that he's now running on empty. We learned nothing last night. I think it might be a bit of a rush to step him against the WBC champion or their number 1 ranked contender. They have Fury at 3, so he'd be a fool to risk a fight against Joshua, even if he (Joshua) is ranked 6.
I didn't say to step up against WBC or their number 1 i said be aiming for that route, by the time that comes round he could have had 3 or 4 more fights but they have to step him up against someone soon. He can't just keep mowing through these bums and get any credit, at some point they have to take a chance
No worries, who do you think the 'big' opponent will be on 12th September who Eddie Hearn was going on about last night?
Just been looking at the rankings. He's rated only by the WBC and WBO, so you'd have to think it would one of the top 10 from either....maybe.
It's so difficult to try and guess with the heavyweight division been so poor it could be anyone and they'll try and build it as his next big step up. I'm thinking either Chisora or some nobody Europen who may have fought for a title at some point
Looks as though the plan is for Joshua to have a fight in July at Manchester before the return to O2 on Sept. 12.
I know it won't happen for the reasons we've stayed above but I'd love Joshua to shut Fury up once and for all. I can't stand the man and can't wait till someone beats him
That Wilder bloke looks a bit useful. Or has he not fought anyone decent yet? Fury v Joshua would be very interesting. Personally I think Fury could beat Klitschko. Klitschko,to me, always looks like he is afraid of getting hit (as opposed to Ali who just made people miss for fun) and most fighters can't reach him because of his long reach. Tyson has a reach advantage and also has faster hands than Klitschko. If Joshua could beat Fury by knock out I would actually put my hand in my wallet and back him to beat Klitschko.
I had a look at the Fury-Chisora fight on Youtube Ron, I'd not seen either before. I think a Joshua-Fury fight would be harder for the young man that if he fought Chisora. The latter bangs, but would give away height and reach to Joshua. Maybe they will go with Chisora towards the end of the year, who knows? I have not seen Wilder yet, so might look him up tomorrow and see I I can watch a couple of his fights. Thanks for the heads up.
Ron with regards to Wilder he hasn't fought anyone at all. Prior to winning the WBC title against a strictly average champion the biggest name on Wilder's record, by some way was Audley Harrison and that's saying something. He's had a career where they've stuck him in with a load of nobodies so that he can maintain this record of knocking everyone out. The only time he's gone the distance was the title fight. That's not to say he hasn't got the potential there he is a bit like Americas version of Joshua but just much further along. Fury wouldn't be good enough to beat Klitschko, he might give him some trouble due to his size but Klitschko is by far the more superior boxer. Fury has a bit of a suspect chin aswell, he's been knocked down by a couple of Cruiserweights in fights. I never really rated his boxing ability much until his second fight with Chisora in which he showed a very good jab and discipline that he's been lacking in the past. I think part of it was Chisora didn't really seem to have the heart for the fight but that's the best I've seen Fury. Klitschko is a very underrated boxer. Watch is fight against Povetkin, he puts on a masterclass against the man who is widely regarded as the 2nd best heavyweight on the planet
If Povetkin is the second best heavyweight on the planet no wonder the heavyweight division is so crap and the heavyweight champion has to be one of the most boring heavyweights there has been. Sorry smokin' but I just don't rate Klitschko. If someone can reach his chin and is fast with a big punch I doubt Klitschko could cope
