Six weeks to fighting and no opponent named for Joshua

This feels a bit shambolic really. A world title fight, heavy weight at that, and no opponent named. This is fine when building a reputation, but he is suppose to be the man to beat now!

I can think of at least one person who has been in training who could step in, though I doubt Wlad would be that interested. He would get some kudos for it though and he is more qualified than the vast majority of contenders out there. Yeah, dream on ...

If it is wlad there is no huge issue as it sells itself and does not need a strong supporting card. If the Wlad fight does not happen, this will potentially be hugely underwhelming. Most of the other credible names are tied up. I'd be surprised if it was wlad. Suspect the parties would want more time to build that, hope I'm wrong though.

Hearn has also confirmed it won't be Haye but that Haye might fight on the same night on the undercard. So if it's not Wlad, Haye or Wilder then any other name is going to be poor. Not that I think Haye should get a shot but at least it'd get a high amount of coverage.

The cynic in me thinks that the Wlad fight doesn't happen and Eddie comes out and says he did all he could to make the fight happen but it just wasn't possible.

Pedro147 wrote:Hearn has also confirmed it won't be Haye but that Haye might fight on the same night on the undercard. So if it's not Wlad, Haye or Wilder then any other name is going to be poor. Not that I think Haye should get a shot but at least it'd get a high amount of coverage.

The cynic in me thinks that the Wlad fight doesn't happen and Eddie comes out and says he did all he could to make the fight happen but it just wasn't possible.

To be fair, the way Wlad's been f*cked about by the Brits in recent times, we should be grateful he's even giving Eddie the time of day. For Haye to be taken seriously, his opponent needs to be decent and if he's fighting on a Matchroom undercard as opposed to headlining his own promotion, it tends to suggest that there's moves afoot to get him a World title shot in the very near future.

Haye claiming AJ vs Klitschko is done. Compares it to Berbick vs Ali. Meeooooowwwww.

hazharrison wrote:Haye claiming AJ vs Klitschko is done. Compares it to Berbick vs Ali. Meeooooowwwww.

Aye...saucer of milk for table four!

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:Haye claiming AJ vs Klitschko is done. Compares it to Berbick vs Ali. Meeooooowwwww.

Aye...saucer of milk for table four!

Ha. I guess in his head he must be Mike Tyson getting ready to straighten out the opportunist who's picking on an old champ.

Had this debate on Twitter last night: Which fight is the biggest - AJ vs Haye, Fury or Klitschko.

Consensus was that AJ vs Haye could be the biggest fight in British boxing history.

hazharrison wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:Haye claiming AJ vs Klitschko is done. Compares it to Berbick vs Ali. Meeooooowwwww.

Aye...saucer of milk for table four!

Ha. I guess in his head he must be Mike Tyson getting ready to straighten out the opportunist who's picking on an old champ.

Had this debate on Twitter last night: Which fight is the biggest - AJ vs Haye, Fury or Klitschko.

Consensus was that AJ vs Haye could be the biggest fight in British boxing history.

In fairness, Eddie's played a blinder to get Wlad to agree to fight AJ. Now, I don't think AJ's the finished article and maybe just maybe Wlad sees something to exploit but I'd prefer to bet on the possibility that Eddie's offered him a sh!tload more money than he was due to make fighting Fury.

As For Haye/AJ, if Haye fights on a big Matchroom bill and looks good against a decent opponent, it doesn't take much to imagine just how big a fight between those two would be.

I imagine Haye would do more running than Mo Farah and hope to land a counter right.

If AJ keeps improving, he will decimate Haye next year. Too young, too big and too strong.

I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

I think AJ will get him out of there by round 8.

hazharrison wrote:I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

No I don't think AJ is shot either...fools! Oh, I see what you mean. Wlad may be 40 but he's in good nick and hasn't had many wearing fights in recent years. Maybe the reflexes are a bit slower but I think he's always been astute enough to know what he can and can't do. Still feel the loss to Fury was a bad day at the office as opposed to an indication that he's in decline however, should AJ land flush, chances are he'll be out for the count but there's no shame in being KO'd by a monster like Joshua and shouldn't be seen as indicative of anything. Wlad's by far the best fighter AJ will have ever have faced even if he's not the fighter he was five years ago and one would hope that it will go into the later rounds and show what AJ's made of

I think even money on Klitschko against Joshua is serious value. I would like Joshua to win but I would have to back Klitschko on those odds.

For me this has Tyson vs Holmes, written all over it.

AJ obviously isn't at the stage Tyson was at and Wlad has at least fought in the last couple of years, but for Wlad will have slipped enough for Joshua to capitalise.

Wlad beats AJ, late KO or points.

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

No I don't think AJ is shot either...fools! Oh, I see what you mean. Wlad may be 40 but he's in good nick and hasn't had many wearing fights in recent years. Maybe the reflexes are a bit slower but I think he's always been astute enough to know what he can and can't do. Still feel the loss to Fury was a bad day at the office as opposed to an indication that he's in decline however, should AJ land flush, chances are he'll be out for the count but there's no shame in being KO'd by a monster like Joshua and shouldn't be seen as indicative of anything. Wlad's by far the best fighter AJ will have ever have faced even if he's not the fighter he was five years ago and one would hope that it will go into the later rounds and show what AJ's made of

I just think Fury was poison for someone with Klitschko's style. Had WK in knots both entally and physically.

I always had Joshua pegged to be the guy who'd knock Klitschko out but his level of opposition has been terrible and he's looking a bit one-dimensional. Klitschko will be able to hit him far more readily than he could Fury with all that messing about and crazy movement.

It's a really good fight by the way. I'd buy this one.

I'd buy it too.

Imagine Fury hadn't of beat Wlad. How big would this fight be??

Many casual (hate that word) fans think AJ is the next Mike Tyson.

I think it would of did massive business.

Even now, the money will be too good for both guys to refuse.

Haye will be praying AJ pulls it off.

AdamT wrote:I'd buy it too.

Imagine Fury hadn't of beat Wlad. How big would this fight be??

Many casual (hate that word) fans think AJ is the next Mike Tyson.

I think it would of did massive business.

Even now, the money will be too good for both guys to refuse.

Haye will be praying AJ pulls it off.

WTF...is English optional where you live, Adam?

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:I'd buy it too.

Imagine Fury hadn't of beat Wlad. How big would this fight be??

Many casual (hate that word) fans think AJ is the next Mike Tyson.

I think it would of did massive business.

Even now, the money will be too good for both guys to refuse.

Haye will be praying AJ pulls it off.

WTF...is English optional where you live, Adam?

Naw I'm just ret**ded DAVE!!!!

AdamT wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:I'd buy it too.

Imagine Fury hadn't of beat Wlad. How big would this fight be??

Many casual (hate that word) fans think AJ is the next Mike Tyson.

I think it would of did massive business.

Even now, the money will be too good for both guys to refuse.

Haye will be praying AJ pulls it off.

WTF...is English optional where you live, Adam?

Naw I'm just ret**ded DAVE!!!!

Doubtful, even ret*rds have a better command of the English language that that, Adam.

Yeah, I guess your English is quite good!

hazharrison wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

No I don't think AJ is shot either...fools! Oh, I see what you mean. Wlad may be 40 but he's in good nick and hasn't had many wearing fights in recent years. Maybe the reflexes are a bit slower but I think he's always been astute enough to know what he can and can't do.  Still feel the loss to Fury was a bad day at the office as opposed to an indication that he's in decline however, should AJ land flush, chances are he'll be out for the count but there's no shame in being KO'd by a monster like Joshua and shouldn't be seen as indicative of anything.  Wlad's by far the best fighter AJ will have ever have faced even if he's not the fighter he was five years ago and one would hope that it will go into the later rounds and show what AJ's made of

I just think Fury was poison for someone with Klitschko's style. Had WK in knots both entally and physically.

I always had Joshua pegged to be the guy who'd knock Klitschko out but his level of opposition has been terrible and he's looking a bit one-dimensional. Klitschko will be able to hit him far more readily than he could Fury with all that messing about and crazy movement.  

Unfortunately I can see it being a bit of a slow burner with neither guy prepared to leave himself open to the one punch that could bring the fight to a swift end. Shame really as the guy who goes on the offensive (without necessarily swinging for the fences) would have the advantage as I don't think either of them are particularly good fighting on the back foot.

AdamT wrote:Yeah, I guess your English is quite good!

It okayful if not exactly brillianty

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

No I don't think AJ is shot either...fools! Oh, I see what you mean. Wlad may be 40 but he's in good nick and hasn't had many wearing fights in recent years. Maybe the reflexes are a bit slower but I think he's always been astute enough to know what he can and can't do.  Still feel the loss to Fury was a bad day at the office as opposed to an indication that he's in decline however, should AJ land flush, chances are he'll be out for the count but there's no shame in being KO'd by a monster like Joshua and shouldn't be seen as indicative of anything.  Wlad's by far the best fighter AJ will have ever have faced even if he's not the fighter he was five years ago and one would hope that it will go into the later rounds and show what AJ's made of

I just think Fury was poison for someone with Klitschko's style. Had WK in knots both entally and physically.

I always had Joshua pegged to be the guy who'd knock Klitschko out but his level of opposition has been terrible and he's looking a bit one-dimensional. Klitschko will be able to hit him far more readily than he could Fury with all that messing about and crazy movement.  

Unfortunately I can see it being a bit of a slow burner with neither guy prepared to leave himself open to the one punch that could bring the fight to a swift end. Shame really as the guy who goes on the offensive (without necessarily swinging for the fences) would have the advantage as I don't think either of them are particularly good fighting on the back foot.

My only worry is, if AJ freezes. Wlad isn't the youngest, but it's doubtful he is going to just stand there and be hit.

AdamT wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

hazharrison wrote:I don't think AJ vs Klitschko is a foregone conclusion. Some are claiming he's a shot fighter. Don't see it.

No I don't think AJ is shot either...fools! Oh, I see what you mean. Wlad may be 40 but he's in good nick and hasn't had many wearing fights in recent years. Maybe the reflexes are a bit slower but I think he's always been astute enough to know what he can and can't do.  Still feel the loss to Fury was a bad day at the office as opposed to an indication that he's in decline however, should AJ land flush, chances are he'll be out for the count but there's no shame in being KO'd by a monster like Joshua and shouldn't be seen as indicative of anything.  Wlad's by far the best fighter AJ will have ever have faced even if he's not the fighter he was five years ago and one would hope that it will go into the later rounds and show what AJ's made of

I just think Fury was poison for someone with Klitschko's style. Had WK in knots both entally and physically.

I always had Joshua pegged to be the guy who'd knock Klitschko out but his level of opposition has been terrible and he's looking a bit one-dimensional. Klitschko will be able to hit him far more readily than he could Fury with all that messing about and crazy movement.  

Unfortunately I can see it being a bit of a slow burner with neither guy prepared to leave himself open to the one punch that could bring the fight to a swift end. Shame really as the guy who goes on the offensive (without necessarily swinging for the fences) would have the advantage as I don't think either of them are particularly good fighting on the back foot.

My only worry is, if AJ freezes. Wlad isn't the youngest, but it's doubtful he is going to just stand there and be hit.

Think Joshua is used to the limelight now and I don't think he'll be starstruck fighting Wlad. Doubt the occasion will get to him, certainly not in a negative way.

I don't mean him being starstruck. I'm more worried about him overthinking and not letting his hands go.

Maybe showing too much respect and letting Wlad nick rounds witht he jab.

AdamT wrote:
Haye will be praying AJ pulls it off.

Doesn't need to pray... Just ask him nicely.

Be a good November if this fight happens. To say klitschko is a step up in class from anything AJ has fought is an understatement, but timing is everything... For all AJ's defensive question marks,  I think he's big enough and fast enough to get through to wlad at this stage of his career. It might be wlad who's starstruck! Be fascinating to find out though.

They must be confident to take the fight. I wouldnt have thought there was a realistic chance they would put Joshua in with Klitschko now but it seems to be a serious discussion rather than blowing smoke. I saw Hearn recently saying Klitschko looked a shot fighter against Fury but I wouldnt be so sure. I havent seen any major difference decline in Klitschko. Hes just a predictable an formula based boxer that when you take away some of the basics like Fury managed with a bit of guile he really struggles. Hes over reliant on the jab to control a fight and he rarely leads at all without setting up a right hand with the jab first. Fury by keeping him moving an throwing out his own jab basically shut Klitschko down as on offensive threat. Klitschko barely threw.

Joshua hasnt shown that kind of guile so far but against the opponents he has been in with he hasnt needed to. He just been able to punch through them. I would make his best bet to unsettle Klitschko by being the aggressor but I couldnt be having a boxer who hasnt gone past 6/7 rounds against the sort of opponents Joshua has as an even money or small favourite.

Wouldn't argue with that really, though I don't think he's as mobile as he was a few years ago.  Fury had size, movement and better boxing ability than most give him credit for... To act as an antidote to wlad's jab and grab routine... And wlad's  too gunshy to have a plan B... So it depends if you think jab and grab will be enough against a big strong athlete with good hand speed and punch variety like AJ.

Can see an argument either way. Be worth tuning in to find out.

Just to be clear for little old me. This is still a rumour correct? No official annoucements, no press conferences, no Fury statement saying he was only joking and is ready to fight anyone, anytime yeh Bx%£sterdS etc? And the fight is still in six weeks (give or take) and it is in MEN that seats how many? I would be surprised if this fight happens (but happy if it did).

If its Wlad it will be December 10th, so its 8 weeks not 6...

I'm going by Joshua's next outing as per my OP, which on boxing rec says it is 26/11/16. No such date on there for Wlad, so what are you basing the 10th December on?

bhb001 wrote:I'm going by Joshua's next outing as per my OP, which on boxing rec says it is 26/11/16. No such date on there for Wlad, so what are you basing the 10th December on?

If Haye's fighting on the undercard (another rumour at this stage) he's stated he's back in December.

Cheers for that. No confirmed fight for David Haye going forward, so the only one with a date seems to be Joshua. So he is all dressed up, a place booked and no one to go with. parallels to my life are amazing

We only deal in rumour on here bhb, we don't do facts or truth.

Even 8 weeks is a short lead time... But then Eddie could sell out a fridge conference in lapland in a matter of minutes, if he does it through stubhub... And both fighters are in training. Stranger things have happened with fewer dollars at stake.

Good luck getting a date, truss is usually free on a weekend

milkyboy wrote:We only deal in rumour on here bhb, we don't do facts or truth.

Even 8 weeks is a short lead time... But then Eddie could sell out a fridge conference in lapland in a matter of minutes, if he does it through stubhub... And both fighters are in training. Stranger things have happened with fewer dollars at stake.

Good luck getting a date, truss is usually free on a weekend

That's the important issue, it won't take either guy long to get to optimum fighting condition. They're both professionals who don't allow themselves to get out of shape like some we could mention so eight weeks is more than enough time. Also a fight like this doesn't need hyping, pretty much sells itself. In these days of social media etc, word gets round so much quicker than before. Still don't see the need for multiple pressers and conferences though. Who needs to hear the same old twaddle for weeks on end?

This fight sells it self. Doesn't need any trash talk.

The next big thing takes on the best heavy in recent years.

Is Joshua a hype job? Does Wlad still have what it takes??

It's a very intriguing fight and I'd happily pay for it.

I'm blocked from following Haye on Twitter. I never followed him in the first place and haven't even slagged him off much on there. Thin skinned bell end.

Rowley wrote:I'm blocked from following Haye on Twitter. I never followed him in the first place and haven't even slagged him off much on there. Thin skinned bell end.

Fully deserved for even questioning the motives of the saviour of the heavyweight division.

... It's a compliment... He obviously knows an influential opinion-shaper when he sees one

Hearn said in IFL interviews that if its Klitschko its December 10th

milkyboy wrote:... It's a compliment... He obviously knows an influential opinion-shaper when he sees one

I read that as "onion shaper"

Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

AdamT wrote:Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

Love knows not rhyme or reason, my friend!!!

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

Love knows not rhyme or reason, my friend!!!

I'm a bad fisherman!!

AdamT wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

Love knows not rhyme or reason, my friend!!!

I'm a bad fisherman!!

I'm not very good at ten pin bowling (I have no idea where this conversation is going....)

DAVE667 wrote:

milkyboy wrote:... It's a compliment... He obviously knows an influential opinion-shaper when he sees one

I read that as "onion shaper"

Coincidentally, that's one of rowley's hobbies.

onions and opinions - both can be shaped with a sharp tool... And rowley is one of the sharpest in the 606 box... Which has no shortage of tools.

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

Love knows not rhyme or reason, my friend!!!

I'm a bad fisherman!!

I'm not very good at ten pin bowling (I have no idea where this conversation is going....)

... Downhill

Or would that only happen with crown green bowling

milkyboy wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

AdamT wrote:Couldn't give a sh1t about Haye. Good fighter, but much of his career has been a joke! Especially the 'Comeback'!!

Dave my grasp of English language might be poor, but I have enough common sense, not to be a fan of the idiot.

Love knows not rhyme or reason, my friend!!!

I'm a bad fisherman!!

I'm not very good at ten pin bowling (I have no idea where this conversation is going....)

... Downhill

Or would that only happen with crown green bowling

Jurgen Klopp can bowl uphill, seanmichaels just gardens uphill