When I initially heard that Stiverne is likely to be Joshua's next opponent, I was pretty excited at the thought of seeing them fight. But, after finding out that Stiverne was dropped by a counter right hand against Derric Rossy, and looking awful on his way to a UD win, my opinion changed somewhat. Stiverne is a tough fucker, and he has a chin, which was evident in the fight with Wilder. He ate some of Wilder's best shots and gave it back. But, if you're getting dropped by Derric fucking Rossy, is that not an indication that Mr. Hearn knows what he's doing? Getting Stiverne in at the right time, as he believes he's not the same type of threat he was when he fought Arreola, for example? Thoughts?
It's his best fight by a good way. I'd be much more interested than this than in his previous debacles. MTF
I'm as big a fan of Joshua as anyone on this board Reed, but Stiverne is a "name" and nothing more. I suppose if AJ knocks the guy out easily it makes Wilder look bad but that's the best that'll come from it.
You won't give him any credit for stiverne either. What current heavyweight would you give him credit for
In Terms of Sheer MATCHMAKING, Stiverne is as Good an Opponent as Joshua Needs to Face, at the Moment.... 17 Fights Guys, 17 Fights...At the 23-25 Fight Mark, THEN Expect Joshua to Face "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime.". Until Then, Enjoy the Ride... REED
like i said, stiverne is an okay opponent. but excuses like "only 17 fights," do not really apply when a fighter has a belt. come on.
Mayweather is no more guilty than any other fighter. He's had his fair share of legit challenges and his fair share of gimme fights. Same with all the other greats.
Given the PLETHORA of Belts Per Division, that Logic No Loooooonger Applies, Doub... Like it or Not, Tyson Fury is "THE Heavyweight Champion of the World"....And Even Deontay Wilder has a STRONGER Claim to that Throne than Joshua Does... Ya'll Act Like Stiverne is a SCRUB or Something, as Opposed to Being THE Most Credible Opponent Joshua Will Have Faced to Date (Which he Undoubtedly Is)... Traditionally, Heavyweights Develop SLOWER, Require More SEASONING....There's No Hurry with a 17 Fight Professional that's Facing Increasingly Tougher Opposition Each Time Out.... If Joshua were "The Heavyweight Champion of the World", REED Could See your Point....But he Isn't.... REED
AJ will knock the guy out easily. I don't think it makes Wilder look bad, but I suppose most will hold it against him. AJ and Wilder just have different types of power and I think Stiverne is more suited to handling Wilder's type of power than he is AJ's. AJ has Bruno/Briggs type power; Wilder has long guy power like McClellan or Wlad.
The fuck are you on about now, ya bam? I just described this as a 'good' and 'interesting' fight. MTF
Without wishing to labour the point or retread previous discussions, his manager is marketing him as The HW Champion of the World. That's one of the problems. MTF
If theres a villian here I'm inclined to blame the ibf(?) more than anyone - the fighters going at an appropriate pace, the promoter is doing his job and hyping the fights - the question is how the heck did the ibf justify him getting the belt? sit-yay-ation is pretty unsatisfactory I agFEEB.
But wood for the trees this is all great - finally an exciting, non-fat heavyweight! And look at those teeth! I'm feeling illusioned and enchanted with the division again
"Casual" British Boxing Fans Seem to Be More Nuanced to the Sport Than Their American Cohorts..... Surely, Most are QUITE Aware Tyson Fury Unseated Loooooooongtime Champion, Wladimir Klitschko, Not Very Looooong Ago, AND They're Aware Anthony Joshua ISN'T Really "THE Heavyweight Champion of the World", Despite Hearns' Protestations.... British Fans Attended Joshua's Fights in Droves PRIOR to Him Acquiring the Trivial Footnote "Title" he Now Occupies....They're Not Attending his Fights Because of It, for Certain.... .. In 12-18 Months, REED Thinks This'll Be a MOOT Point Anyways.... REED
THIS! Worse, How'd the IBF Justify Charles Martin as a Worthy Combatant for their Vacant Title??? REED
If it was the simple, it would be good, It isn't. Casual British fight fans have some smarts but a lot buy into hype as everywhere else. Joshua has been popular from day 1, certainly, but everyone and their dog understands the kudos that still comes with being called 'The Heavyweight Champion of the World'. They know who Fury is, and they know who he beat, but while he is inactive Joshua is filling the breach. I certainly don't blame Hearn for promoting Joshua this way. He's on PPV, earning stupid sums of money for such an unproven fighter and if I was his fighter I'd be grateful for the promotional charge. It just grates when you know the fuller picture and detracts from the enjoyment of watching what Joshua is doing, especially when he is fighting the stiffs he is knocking over so far. MTF
Even casual British fans have to realize Joshua isn't really a champ because the real champ is British. Even if he was a legit title holder Stiverne wouldn't be an unacceptable defense.
If Not Stiverne, then Possibly Kubrat Pulev... http://www.skysports.com/boxing/new...s-fake-hype-fighters-to-stop-wasting-his-time REED:mj:
Haven't seen much of AJ but from what I have seen it'd be nice if he could fight somebody who wasn't petrified before they even engage with him. It's like these dudes are afraid of those big shoulders of his or something.