Anthony Joshua Becomes the Champion
‘The Changing of the Guard’
April 29th 2017, Anthony Joshua defeated long-reigning Heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko in stunning fashion. In a fight that is sure to be remembered as a potentially pivotal moment in HW boxing history.
I will breakdown what happened in the fight (knockdown sequences and finish). As Joshua showed incredible will and cerebral technique vs. the forever crafty and immensely skilled Klitschko. Joshua has used the aforementioned as well as immense power en route to becoming the second boxer, after Joe Frazier. To win a world heavyweight title whilst still reigning as Olympic champion at the top weight.
The implications of Joshua winning the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles. And retaining the IBF heavyweight title is immense. Anthony is now 19-0 with an astonishing 100 percent (19) Knockout ratio. The young Brit, from Watford, Hertfordshire is a physical specimen at 27 years old. Standing an incredibly chiselled 6’6″ w/ an 82″ reach and usually fights around 250 pounds.
Heavyweights were Kings
It came as no surprise to me that AJ is a fan of chess, seemingly humble. And likely what heavyweight boxing has been void of for (depending on who you’d consider the last great HW champ) a few decades.
In my lifetime the most significant being Tyson, followed by Holyfield, the short-lived comeback of Foreman and Lennox Lewis. Prior to Tyson, there was a lull only because of the once in a lifetime “Fab Four” in the MW division of Hagler, Leonard, Hearns and Duran dominating most of the late seventies and early eighties.
But if you look prior to the mid-’70s the Heavyweights were kings throughout the annals of boxing history. With exceptions coming in the form of some of the all-time greats in lower weight classes a la Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson and the like.
So from the Jacks (Johnson / Dempsey), to Joe Louis, to Liston, to Ali and all scattered throughout. Boxing history has long been rich with Heavyweight Kings. And Joshua may be the next chapter in a sport that hasn’t had such a buzz in a long time.
Music:
- Rob Gasser – Ricochet [NCS Release]
- Holly x Drivvin – Til The End [NCS Release]
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