Anthony Joshua v Carlos Takam 28 October 2017

[Fenster]

It's sort of true that Lewis wasn't quite the finished article when he won the title (nor was Mike Tyson, but he was 20 for fucks sale)

However, I cannot remember a period in history when two 'world' heavyweight champions were essentially novices.

it says more about the total lack of decent heavyweights than it does about how good Joshua or Wilder are

Which has been said about every era since the dawn of time. Maybe it's because in general big men look crap so only a few standout in any era.

Wilder isn't a novice, he's been protected and is really no different to American guys like Tommy Morrison (without a Mercer moment), who feasted on club fighters until a title opportunity popped up against a fossil.

And AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger than prime Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Wlad etc.

The only difference today is, AJ's entire career/life is played out 24/7 in public, you get to watch and rewatch every single fight, every single move, every single word said is scrutinised. Stick Prime Tyson in this era you've got a protected laughing stock. Lewis and Bowe were constantly considered crap in comparison with past heavyweight fighters.

[Primo Carnera]

It's sort of true that Lewis wasn't quite the finished article when he won the title (nor was Mike Tyson, but he was 20 for fucks sale)

However, I cannot remember a period in history when two 'world' heavyweight champions were essentially novices.

it says more about the total lack of decent heavyweights than it does about how good Joshua or Wilder are

Which has been said about every era since the dawn of time. Maybe it's because in general big men look crap so only a few standout in any era.

Wilder isn't a novice, he's been protected and is really no different to American guys like Tommy Morrison (without a Mercer moment), who feasted on club fighters until a title opportunity popped up against a fossil.

And AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger than prime Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Wlad etc.

The only difference today is, AJ's entire career/life is played out 24/7 in public, you get to watch and rewatch every single fight, every single move, every single word said is scrutinised. Stick Prime Tyson in this era you've got a protected laughing stock. Lewis and Bowe were constantly considered crap in comparison with past heavyweight fighters.

This is so true, not just for Joshua, but just about every modern day fighter. This is one of many reasons I don't like comparing Boxers of different eras. So many differences, some positive, some not so.
for example, the reason AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger is because they fight so much less nowadays, 20 fights is the equivalent of 35 fights in old money.
Not a criticism of AJ, just how it is nowadays. Fighters don't fight enough to cement a legacy.

[Fenster]

Or maybe popular fighters today don't have the luxury of "padding" their records. It's not like AJ can slip on the undercard of the first Hearn American show (Danny Jacobs) to subtlety introduce himself to a new audience or have a quick defense down at the York Hall before Christmas.

Dillian Whyte got a non-televised slot on the Crawford undercard the other month and all over the boxing fans/forum/media was criticism of the opponent. Dillian fucking Whyte can't even have a gimme, in front of one man and a dog, without being torn to shreds.

Fans today have no understanding of Lennox Lewis being on Gatti and Holyfield undercards in the States. Roy-Toney/Hopkins all made their careers on Tyson/Morrison/Holyfield/Oscar undercards. Imagine today that a fight like Roy Jones-Toney was a mere undercard musing? These type of fights today have a glorified mythical status when in reality they weren't even deemed headline worthy.

[Primo Carnera]

Or maybe popular fighters today don't have the luxury of "padding" their records. It's not like AJ can slip on the undercard of the first Hearn American show (Danny Jacobs) to subtlety introduce himself to a new audience or have a quick defense down at the York Hall before Christmas.

Dillian Whyte got a non-televised slot on the Crawford undercard the other month and all over the boxing fans/forum/media was criticism of the opponent. Dillian fucking Whyte can't even have a gimme, in front of one man and a dog, without being torn to shreds.

Fans today have no understanding of Lennox Lewis being on Gatti and Holyfield undercards in the States. Roy-Toney/Hopkins all made their careers on Tyson/Morrison/Holyfield/Oscar undercards. Imagine today that a fight like Roy Jones-Toney was a mere undercard musing? These type of fights today have a glorified mythical status when in reality they weren't even deemed headline worthy.

I don't mind people having a lighter fight in between some tough fights, but the money reflects that as DeGale has just seen. Dunno if topping a small bill makes any difference.
the reason people criticized Whyte is because him and his promoter were billing it as his "Breakthrough fight and introduction to the States Market with a view to getting Wilder!" well if that's the case , you don't do that fighting some cowboy straight out of the saloon after 3 shots of red eye!
I believe the reason they have less fights is because they are more choosy and the reason for that is because they earn way more money .

[Spicoli]

It's sort of true that Lewis wasn't quite the finished article when he won the title (nor was Mike Tyson, but he was 20 for fucks sale)

However, I cannot remember a period in history when two 'world' heavyweight champions were essentially novices.

it says more about the total lack of decent heavyweights than it does about how good Joshua or Wilder are

Which has been said about every era since the dawn of time. Maybe it's because in general big men look crap so only a few standout in any era.

Wilder isn't a novice, he's been protected and is really no different to American guys like Tommy Morrison (without a Mercer moment), who feasted on club fighters until a title opportunity popped up against a fossil.

And AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger than prime Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Wlad etc.

The only difference today is, AJ's entire career/life is played out 24/7 in public, you get to watch and rewatch every single fight, every single move, every single word said is scrutinised. Stick Prime Tyson in this era you've got a protected laughing stock. Lewis and Bowe were constantly considered crap in comparison with past heavyweight fighters.

Truth is both Morrison and that fossil Foreman would have stuffed Charles Martin into a bucket and claimed a trinket as well. The same scrutiny and ever shining light that is on AJ also affords him those door prizes and massive play. Wilder was same way for a while..always a guy you knew would be steered there but eventually the promotion must release the wheel.

[Fenster]

It's sort of true that Lewis wasn't quite the finished article when he won the title (nor was Mike Tyson, but he was 20 for fucks sale)

However, I cannot remember a period in history when two 'world' heavyweight champions were essentially novices.

it says more about the total lack of decent heavyweights than it does about how good Joshua or Wilder are

Which has been said about every era since the dawn of time. Maybe it's because in general big men look crap so only a few standout in any era.

Wilder isn't a novice, he's been protected and is really no different to American guys like Tommy Morrison (without a Mercer moment), who feasted on club fighters until a title opportunity popped up against a fossil.

And AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger than prime Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Wlad etc.

The only difference today is, AJ's entire career/life is played out 24/7 in public, you get to watch and rewatch every single fight, every single move, every single word said is scrutinised. Stick Prime Tyson in this era you've got a protected laughing stock. Lewis and Bowe were constantly considered crap in comparison with past heavyweight fighters.

Truth is both Morrison and that fossil Foreman would have stuffed Charles Martin into a bucket and claimed a trinket as well. The same scrutiny and ever shining light that is on AJ also affords him those door prizes and massive play. Wilder was same way for a while..always a guy you knew would be steered there but eventually the promotion must release the wheel.

Yes there's always weak "champions" with multiple titles up for grabs.

Remember Bentt? Done Morrison in a round, immediately sold the title to Hide who sold it to Bowe. Big Daddy then dumped it for Holyfield (3) which meant Hide bought back a vacant title (ancient Tucker was deemed worthy) until forced to face some big stiff "useless" Eastern Euro mandatory that brought in a knew era.

During this time Akinwande, Seldon, Briggs, Bruno, etc, were all masquerading as heavyweight champion of the world, carving up the WBC, WBA and IBF lineal between them.

Nothing has changed in our time apart from the faces.