AJ-Wlad - Wembley

[Beanz]

No one think that Wlads spoiling/ holding tactics will frustrate Joshua? He has never been in that situation. All that holding and leaning can wear you out. Add in that Joshua has never been deep. Wlad can whack too. He can also box although we haven't seen that in awhile. I wish the odds were closer to what the general opinion here is as I'd be inclined to back them.

I was the lone Joshua points vote. I know it's a stretch, but I can see that happening. I'm in total agreement that Wlad will use every trick in the book to frustrate/ wear out Joshua. But I gotta think AJ is being prepped for that. I gotta think there's a game plan, when everybody and their brother knows exactly what Wlad is going to do. The one X factor is Wlad's punch, which he can sneak in if AJ becomes too involved with Wlad's fouling. I just hope AJ's team are doing their homework in preparing him for this fight. He's not gonna get a 2nd chance, I believe.

I know what Alpha is saying but good luck to Wlad if he thinks leaning on AJ is going to tire him out. I think Joshua is way strong enough and streetwise enough to push him off and pivot. Don't get me wrong Joshua's inside game is probably his weakest skill set right now, but I think he knows this and will quickly step off or to the side if Wlad tries the lean thing. Hugs? again I think Joshua being mahoosive in training for this one is not a coincidence. They will come in prepared to literally throw Wlad off if he tries that BS. Wlad has a decent spiteful jab but I don't think he is going to be able to fire it quick enough at this stage in his career to let him dictate the fight and that will somewhat makeup for Joshua's lack of experience. He was a late starter but the pro game seems to suit him much better where power at HW (unlike lower down) really can be the great equalizer. Not just one punch KO power, but strength and power. I think against anyone else, even another big guy like Fury, they build more for stamina and speed . Here it's a chance to announce his arrival big style with an early KO. That you have to think is their plan.

[El Kabong]

I reckon AJ will come out swinging and Wlad will lay back a bit and attempt to get to the later rounds. If Wlad is past it he'll be stopped, if AJ doesn't fight smart he'll be stopped. I predict Wlad by TKO in 9. AJ is too tight in his stance, he'll sap his strength.


The story of a Wlad win will be the jab and patience vs power and inexperience.

The story of a Joshua win will be fresher fighter who throws and lands more than 1 punch at a time vs an older fighter who never had much punch resistance and who has slowed down.




Simple as that really, I just hope whoever the winner is ends up getting all the belts. AJ has been a class act and he's a very good boxer, no shame in losing to him, although I do not believe Wlad will lose.