5 to Avoid – Anthony Joshua (Near future) PT 1

Firstly, this article isn’t written to knock down the casual boxing fans, who think Joshua is now the complete package. Hardcore fans started out as casuals too. There is nothing worse than when you start getting into the buzz of being a boxing fan and you take to the forums to  become the Internets No1 dream match maker… and suddenly… someone who knows the score puts you in your own place on a ‘Sky Sports’ comment section with a Box rec stat that you can’t argue against. What is Boxrec? you will find out soon enough as your love for the sport grows.

I will concede that I consider myself a hardcore fan for what ever that stands for (Fuck all). I don’t claim to be an expert or know it all either. So rather than bitching down casuals on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/boxingbritain.com) lets try to educate each other and see the bigger picture, then if you decide to keep your views that is fine, but at least you learnt something. The following is just my opinion on who Anthony Joshua should Avoid in the near future, on his way to fulfilling his potential and hopefully becoming a heavyweight champion. I will follow this up with P.T2 Calculated Risk fights and then P.T3 fights he should take now.

Why Rush?

Since Anthony Joshua’s recent win against ‘The Body Snatcher’ Dillian Whyte, a lot of talk has floated about as to who his next opponent should/would/could be…

The flock of casual fans (No I ain’t hating… we all had a favorite fighter that gripped us to the sport) that follow Matchroom fighters solely, or more accurately, Anthony Joshua, have taken to social media with dream fights. Most of the names bellow have popped up once or twice. The names bellow are (in my opinion) Boxers that I would avoid in the near future although I will concede that Joshua probably wouldn’t look out of place in the same ring as a few of them, but it would be a big gamble if his team did throw him in.

5 TO AVOID (12/18 months)

Tyson Fury

The name Tyson Fury gets branded about far to much when Anthony Joshua is mentioned. Despite making the most Dominant Heavyweight in recent years look like a 10 fight novice in his last fight, some people still arn’t convinced he is the real deal. Well I am well and truly convinced and have been for a while. This man is on another level to Joshua AT THE MOMENT* and no amount of videos that show Fury uppercutting himself are going to make me say different.

A lot off casuals haven’t bought into the Furious one, this may be due to his unorthodox fighting style and out of the ring antics, but I am starting to think that this could also just be because a lot of casual fans didn’t get to see Tyson Fury on his debut in front of sell out crowds as they have with Joshua. Joshua has rightly been catapulted to top of the Sky bills on a lot of shows, based on his amateur success. Casuals have had the chance to see Anthony from the Olympics on BBC and follow every fight of his career on the biggest sports platform in the UK. Following someones story from the beginning installs an emotional attachment to that person. Tyson Fury has done things the hard way, a lot of his earlier fights weren’t available to the casuals and admittedly, Tyson’s physical appearance back then wasn’t one associated with a Professional Athlete. Only those who did see Tyson on the small hall shows and have watched him develop from a tall beer belly big mouth to the Undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, can appreciate and see the massive improvements he has made in and out the ring.

I would stay away from this fight for now, although I would buy the PPV tomorrow to see it and would also expect that Joshua could show more threat offensively than Chisora did in the rematch with Fury, its all about timing and levels. I would like Joshua to fight a few guys taller than him before jumping in with Tyson, also a few movers. Like Joshua says “Why fight Fury now and make it a hard fight, when I can fight him in the future and make it an easy fight”.

 

Wladamir Klitschko

There comes a time in a young prospects career that he should fight an ex-world champion before going in with the current champion. Not yet though ! Klitschko although at the Twilight of a great career will still feel like he has a lot to prove in his rematch against Fury. If Klitschko is beaten by Fury even more convincingly than he was last time, then my opinion could change, but Klitschko’s experience and desire to prove people wrong in the past has outshone those who suggested he had no heart.

To much experience, besides if Klitschko did loose the rematch… is he really going to jump in the ring with Joshua on a Uk Matchroom bill anytime soon? doubt it. Infact that is a straight no.

 

Luis Ortiz

I predict that Luis Ortiz is going to be a handful for Tyson Fury at some point in the next 12/18 months and would put my house on him beating Deontay Wilder tomorrow, never mind Anthony Joshua. ‘The real King Kong’ has impressed a lot recently, showing devastating one punch power and great shot selection in his most recent fights, Not to mention his Cuban amateur pedigree. I predicted Luis Ortiz would win a version of the World title when I first seen him fight in late 2014 against Lateef Kayode. Ok… Ok.. The Nigerian Nightmare isn’t exactly the best yard stick to a world title, especially as he is a natural Cruiserweight, but Ortiz’s shot selection and calmness when boxing on the outside and inside has impressed me thus far. He hold the WBA interim title so we could see him mentioned with Fury very soon. In-fact I am sure he has already called Fury out.

To early for a fight like this for Joshua in my opinion. Search him on you tube to see why.

 

Alexander Povetkin

Alexander Povetkin was widely regarded as the No2 best Heavyweight in the world before Tyson Fury schooled Klitschko. Also an Olympic Gold medal winner, he has good technical ability and has the experience of fight a lot of the top 15/20 current heavyweights, that experience is something that shouldn’t be over looked. He has looked quality and made easy work of Mike Perez with an early KO recently and for those who have followed him can see a better conditioned athlete too. The fact that Povetkin has been dodged by Deontay Wilder 3 fights in a row, despite being mandatory challenger proves his presence within the heavyweight top 5.

 

David Haye

There are many people that will be calling me a casual now haha. I can see why fans would disagree that David Haye isn’t one for Joshua to avoid due to his 3 year lay off. But hear me out… there is a massive gap between No hopers – Prospects – Contenders and World Class. David Haye though despite the lay off (and dramatically recovering from a ‘Career ending shoulder and toe injury’),  argues that he is still fresh, young and in good condition in terms of Heavyweights. He hasn’t received massive punishment in his career and has always been explosive. Hayes comeback fight against little known ‘Mark De Mori‘ may or may not show us if Haye is at least on the road to challenging in the Top 5 again. There may be a bit of ring rust, but not the sort of rust that Ricky Hatton had to shake off before his ring return. If David no longer carries explosive power like he used to or no longer possess’ his quick reflexes and movement, then I would wait to let someone else expose that. Again though, like all the above fights I would buy PPV tomorrow and would expect Joshua to at least be competitive.

 

 

Basically I am saying that to much has been expected of Joshua at this early stage in his career. We shouldn’t rush him. He should be stepping up the challengers gradually ‘Dillian Whyte’ was a great example of stepping up bit by bit, fight by fight. Lets see him fight a variety of fighters and styles before making the step up. The last thing we want is another world champion who has to dodge top 10 fighters because he is to rough around the edges do dominate as a champion should. Look at the Deontay Wilder situation, classic example of a World Champion who can’t be trusted to defend his title against World level opponents.

Tomorrow I will give a list of fighters that would be a calculated Gamble for Anthony Joshua to take and the following day I will give my list of fights that I would absolutely take for him.

 

Hope you enjoyed the read. Comment on our facebook page with your views ( Agree or disagree its all good, as long as its constructive.

 

Gaz

@boxing_britain – @garyfortune89