Sounds like Wilder is a busted flush.... I reckon the three defeats to Fury have done it for him. Plus he's not fought for, what is it, two or three years? Besides he's always been a one punch wonder with limited boxing skills and to come up against Parker who does know how to box has just made that apparent. And AJ coming out on the front foot... has he been at the local captagon amphetamines I wonder...
Just seen some youtube highlights & I'm not entirely sure it was his old self. He still looks stilted and wasn't throwing any combinations, just single punches. And Wallin didn't look the best and offered nothing.... always going backwards gave the impression AJ was going forwards.
I think it was something other than overconfidence with Wilder tbh. He seemed “elsewhere”, but not in the same complacent way Fury was against Ngannou, more like he’s at peace with himself. He kind of reminded me of the way Jules (Samuel L Jackson) is at the end of Pulp Fiction after he’s had a road to Damascus type experience and he did say something in his post fight interview about how he’d been on a retreat where he took ayahuasca, so maybe that had something to do with it. Psych issues aside, he was all over the place in terms of his craft - he looked off balance, kept crossing his feet, his timing was miles off and he kept throwing those silly little punches that make it look like you’re hammering on a locked door or like a 1950s film noir heroine, hysterically beating her fists on the chest of the stoic male lead. I think he’s done though. He’s only fought once since the big defeat to Fury 3 years and that was his 90 second destruction of Helenius. Judging by this performance, his demeanour, the fact that he’s knocking on the door of 40, the route back to a world championship won’t be easy, he’s been sensible with his money and I read somewhere hates training camp and travelling because he doesn’t like to be away from his kids, it all points towards retirement.
It wasn’t a perfect performance but it was huge improvement on the previous two, where he was shockingly poor and his head seems to be in the right place again.
‘I’m gonna walk around like Kane in Kung Fu’ I did chuckle a lot at that line… Yup, he’s had a good run. He was looking for the knockout last night. And you could tell he was getting increasingly frustrated with it not coming…. And that was some right hand he ate in the 8th Jesus…
Before the fight AJ claimed Wallin wasn’t on his level, and he’s right tbf. Steady nights work really. You will always look the real deal when you’re technically better than your opponent. But when he talks about levels he should know he’s not top dog in the heavyweight division. We all know that after watching 24 rounds with Usyk. Anyhow- another monster payday beckons for him. The jammy bastard….
I like it... Wilder of old always seemed to me to rely on rage and errr.. fury rather than his limited ring craft. So perhaps he has had his damascene moment and seen the light and is now a changed man at peace with himself. And who are we to begrudge a man that especially one from the fight game.
Bye bye Wilder Parker vs AJ anyone? BTW Anyone else see Fat McGregor interview post fight? Looks like another guy who won't be doing much again in the future.
I just saw an Instagram post in which he was apologetic for his poor performance and adamant that he’s not retiring, so who knows what he’ll do next. But, to return to the Pulp Fiction theme, maybe “that’s just the pride fucking with you”
That was some hit!! I know he was in la la land for a second or two but super impressed with the way he recovered…
I think that’s it. Pride…. He took a comprehensive beating in Fury Wilder 2 but he was having none of it. And immediately triggered the rematch clause. Which IIRC torpedoed Fury v AJ. He did a lot better in the 3rd fight but the outcome was the same…
Deontay has been paid $90million for losing his last four fights. He knows he won't be in the ring many more times so he's taking all the cash he can. He can take a little pain for that kind of cash whilst its still available.
I'm gonna assume it's those word's sentiments that are applicable here and not the context in which they are used in the film... But yes, pride does have a habit of getting in the way of many a decision. Especially in the fight game.
Yeah I read that. It’s all getting a bit like American wrestling. McGreggor Mayweather kicked all this off. And the likes of Eddie Hearn will be all over it, Ker- chiing … I just hope the Fury v Usyk stays on course. I’m super interested in that one…. I’ll be home for that and plan a bit of a party
I honestly don’t know. I guess it depends which Fury turns up. If Fury takes his A game, I think he’ll be too much for Usyk. We all know Usyk will be solid, he always is. And if Fury doesn’t have his head straight (we all know that there’s history here) I can see Usyk taking all belts. Interesting
From what you wrote earlier Ngannou is a big strong man who won't be easy to dominate and we all know AJ's susceptibility to a big strong punch so you may find many punters willing to pay to see exactly the latter... But you're right - it's all a bit of money machine rather than a sport to see who's best. What's wrong with a match against Zhang or a return match with Parker?
Exactly that - a lot will depend on which Fury turns up. I reckon it'll be a great watch as both are skilled boxers with ring craft who can move and hit from all angles. A lot will depend on how either boxer can get round the defense/style of the other? Usyk the quality south paw with a good jab. Fury the big messy spoiler who can switch & is comfortable in both stances. Perhaps because I'd like to see him win, if Fury is on his mettle he'll prove too much for Usyk.
