LAND OF THE GIANTS
Everything you need to know about boxing’s best big men
LAST FIGHT:
A rip-roaring 11th round stoppage win over Wladimir Klitschko wowed the 90,000 in attendance at Wembley Stadium and the millions who watched at home. Plenty of questions were answered in the rocketfuelled slugfest, not least Joshua’s ability to recover from the brink of defeat.
NEXT FIGHT:
Now the owner of the WBA and IBF belts, Joshua is already getting a taste of how difficult it will be to keep them. Not due to the fearsome rivals out there, but the incessant demands of keeping the governing bodies happy. The IBF will soon request that their mandatory Kubrat Pulev is next, the WBA have Luis Ortiz (not to mention the infuriating nonsense that organisation are sanctioning between Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo approaching) and suddenly it becomes a tricky balancing act. At the time of writing, though, the easiest to make and most likely would seem to be the Klitschko sequel in September or October.
BEST ATTRIBUTE:
Hard to pinpoint one. His speed and power are obvious but perhaps his biggest advantage over anyone is a refusal to lose. That mental strength is rare, unteachable, and Joshua has it in abundance.
WORST ATTRIBUTE:
Stamina. The way he faded in the middle rounds against Klitschko was a concern, and he was (understandably, I should add) completely spent by the end of the fight. The fact he caught a second win to initiate that ending was impressive, though.
WHO SHOULD HE AVOID?
Klitschko arguably has the beating of him, an in-shape Tyson Fury would be a big ask but both are hugely lucrative contests. And Joshua is improving rapidly. Perhaps the likes of Ortiz – dangerous, still largely unknown – brings the most risk for the least reward.
HOW HIGH CAN HE GO?
One day, in the not too distant future, Joshua will start to age. For now, though, the sky is the limit if he retains his studious and insatiable work ethic.
LAST FIGHT:
Arguably answered more critics in his gallant defeat to Joshua than in any of his victories. Widely thought to be on his way to the scrapheap, Klitschko sucked in all the doubts and breathed new life into his Hall of Fame career. But only he will know how much now remains in those 41-year-old lungs.
NEXT FIGHT:
We still don’t know if he will fight again and retirement may be the wisest move considering he gave everything – and more – in the Joshua slugfest. However, a return makes sound sporting and business sense, and immediately after the loss said he would only fight “AJ” or Tyson Fury in rematches if he did come back. Currently taking a holiday and considering his options -which could also include WBC boss Deontay Wilder -Klitschko’s thoughts undoubtedly revolve around how close he came to beating Joshua. And when a fighter comes that close, they nearly always try again.
BEST ATTRIBUTE:
His experience carried him through some difficult times against Joshua. That added to his top notch boxing ability, undeniable fitness and break-your-face power makes him a formidable opponent for anyone.
WORST ATTRIBUTE:
While he didn’t act his age last time out one can’t help but wonder if he’d have weathered that late storm if he’d have been younger. When you’re a 41-year-old competing in a young man’s game, your age is always your biggest weakness.
WHO SHOULD HE AVOID?
In November 2015, Fury seemed to have Klitschko’s number and likely still has. While there is merit to going to war with Joshua again, a rematch with Fury is not advisable at this point.
HOW HIGH CAN HE GO?
Despite his showing at Wembley, his peak has passed. However, given the nature of that contest, writing him off would be foolish.