AJ vs Wlad - Who wins?

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So AJ finally steps up just like we all wanted in April. Question is who wins this superfight?

AJ will never have faced anyone with Wlad's jab, power or technique and for that reason, I think this could be a tough fight for AJ. But on the other hand, Wlad may struggle to hold and maul AJ in the way he is able to with most of his opponents and just like we saw in the Fury fight, its a different ball game for Wlad when he has to fight someone who is his own size. Of course AJ has the power but can he land on someone like Wlad who has good foot speed and technique. And if Wlad does throw a heavy right hand, can AJ take a clean shot from Wlad if he was wobbled by Dillian Whyte? So many questions with this fight. As a guy who has hated Wlads style for many years, I sincerely hope that AJ knocks him spark out and I think AJ will get to Wlad late on in this fight, but that's not a prediction I make with any real confidence.

The one thing about AJ is while he attacks on the front foot, he is always looking to counter anything that comes back at him and that's where Wlad might find himself in difficulty. So that's my view, AJ wins by late stoppage. What do you think? Who wins and how? I'm starting to get excited about 2017 now. Groves will finally pick up a title, Haye will knock Tony Bell end spark out, Degale will beat Jack and then have a 50-50 with Callum Smith, Frampton vs Santa Cruz the rematch. Hopefully a much better year to look forward to!

Group Cpt Lionel Mandrake wrote:They're both very similar in as much as they both come forward in straight lines with very little lateral or head movement.

We know wlad doesnt have a great chin and I doubt it's improved over time

We have no real idea if AJ can take a shot. Other than Whyte no one's really hit him.

Wlad is highly unlikely to turtle up into his shell like 99% of AJs previous opponents. Can't see AJ being phased but Wlads jab could keep him away.

It could very well come down to whoever lands the first decent punch. Whoever does could rock the other man and go in for the kill.

It's an interesting fight but I feel AJ has youth and power on his side. AJ inside 3

That's how I see it. I think Wlad has a punchers chance on the basis AJ hasn't really been tested and shown he can take a shot.

Also what is is stamina like if the fight goes into the later rounds?

I think AJ will be the aggressor with Wlad jab and grabbing and trying to survive. I can see AJ blasting Klitschko early but the more I think about, if Wlad can take the fight into the later rounds he may pull off an upset.

I doubt AJ'S stamina will be a factor against a 41 year old not famed for fighting at a fast pace at the best of times.

Invariably boxing is about timing and the changing of the guard is often a brutal one. This has the feel of one of those... a Hatton tszyu type moment. A guy who's looked good against opponents who were never going to challenge him, taking a leap up in class but against a guy who's fighting Father Time.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions about Joshua. He can definitely be hit... a dangerous trait for a heavyweight... and especially so against a heavy handed opponent. He'll also be fighting a guy with a technique that makes him very hard to get to.

Joshua has a lot of offensive artillery but sooner or later guys like him meet someone they either can't land on or can't put a dent in when they do. I don't know if klitschko is the former, he's definitely not the latter, but my hope is the fight lasts long enough to get some answers about AJ. Having a guy coming to win is a start. It's an intriguing match-up. I'm more expecting a change of the guard than an old master exposing a young pretender but I wouldn't be shocked with any outcome.

I think there is more value to be had in the fight going longer. I can see a cautious opening without too many big shots thrown or landed. Neither fighter will want to make mistakes. Klitschko might get the better of this but unless he wins rounds quite clearly, I think the cagey or hard to score rounds will probably be awarded to the home fighter and the champion.

Its known how Klitschko will approach the fight, and his style is geared towards longer lasting affairs. Its not known how Joshua will approach it. But I think a combination of cautiousness on his part and Klitschkos give nothing away style will likely mean the fight sees at least 6 rounds.

Only giving Klitschko a punchers chance is strange I think, given his experience, rounds winning ratio and points building style against a relatively inexperienced Joshua. I really hope Joshua can knock him out though. It would be desperate for boxing if a 41 year old Klitschko was still as good as it gets and better than the brightest prospect in the division. It would be great to see Joshua go in and dominate him in a few rounds.

First foundations being laid for Joshua v Haye.

Hayes says it's a perfect time to face Wlad. Joshua responds with 'Haye talks a lot'. Cue Haye response to escalate it quickly.

Haye already started it with how he was going to knock out Bellew and Joshua to kill Hearns income.

Depends on how AJ starts this one for me.

Wlad is very unlikely to go straight for AJ and would usually want at least a few rounds of softening up, leaning etc.

AJ has in his last few fights spent the first few rounds doing the same but seems to be able to try for the KO within 2-3 rounds.

If AJ goes for it from the off and tries to get Wlad's respect, make him fear the big shot I can only see an AJ win. Wlad won't like being rushed and seems to struggle when facing something different (Fury as an example). It could easily take him out of his game plan and leave him on the back foot which, for me will only then be a matter of time before a big shot lands.

If Wlad catches AJ with some solid jabs or maybe a big right it could lead to AJ getting a little nervous. We don't know how well he can take a punch or how he will react when caught by a few stiff jabs.

An interesting fight mainly because of the unknown.

As you say there is such a big unknown factor here. Compared to the big heavyweight fights of yesteryear obviously this pales into comparison, but I genuinely can't wait for this fight. It's been a really long time since a big heavyweight fight got my interest so early.

going for AJ in this one

wlad was petrified of throwing against fury, who has decent power but not a patch on AJ. he'll be even more gun shy in this that i dont think he'll give AJ too much too worry about, he'll just try to tie him up all the time hoping to tire him out

which brings me onto stamina, of which i think AJ beats wlad. whos not exactly used to setting a blistering pace to trouble AJ. the other factor that i think will be the big key is speed, both fight in similar ways but can see the younger man beating the 41 year to the punch more often than not

I got AJ all day long.

Wlad will not have fought for over a year, never been off that long in his entire career...I think. This is the wrong fight for Wlad to take after all that time away.

Also, the footwork of AJ is highly underrated. For a 'big' heavyweight, his footwork is very good and the rate at which he has learnt his trade is impressive too. Considering the number of fights he's had, his rate of improvement in my opinion is a big factor.

AJ wins this for sure, then I hope he fights Wilder, which in my opinion is an 80/20 fight in favour of AJ. Somebody will get KO'd before the 9th in that fight.

Eddie Hearns something of a master promoter got to hand it to him how the hell do you get 90,000 for an event like this

I mean when you break it down it's an old ring-rusty past his best arguably not that good in the first place Wlad against an unproven possibly chinny 'champion' who got the title after they stole it off Fury and has only beaten Dillian Whyte and made three abysmal defences since

It's a good Saturday night fight but c'mon 90,000

Not that good???

The best hw of the last 10 years?????

Yeah but it was a useless division surely?

And made to look bang-average against Fury first time a half decent heavyweight had come along in all that time only other decent fighter his brother he couldn't fight

AJ to win and hopefully so. Should be too powerful and too big for Wlad to manhandle. WK whilst not being as glass chinned as people say (check out his knockouts he was clubbed around not subject to a one punch KO) he has the survival instincts of a Bruno.

Can't forgive Wlad for that shower of a performance against Fury and the division needs new blood.