Deontay Wilder will take Anthony Joshua out unless his British rival can find a way to start pulling the trigger early in a fight.
Even Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted Joshua wasn’t on course for a good win until a seventh-round haymaker ended Robert Helenius.
Joshua didn’t go through the gears and looked gun-shy and tentative as he racked up the home venue points. However, a considerable shot put Helenius down, and that’s predictably all she wrote.
The fans wanted an exceptional performance by AJ leading into a potential clash with Wilder.
His American rival dealt with the rangy Finn in 177 seconds. Something similar should have been the order of the day. But Joshua being Joshua, he didn’t seem his old self.
At times, he refused to pull the trigger, a trait that’s continued since Andy Ruiz Jr. inflicted a first defeat in 2019.
That night in New York seemed to change the trajectory of Joshua’s career forever. Joshua’s last two victories, against Jermain Franklin and Helenius, have been poor – to say the least.
Hearn is just thankful the stoppage came after boos from his own fans.
Anthony Joshua is heading for Deontay Wilder KO
“You’re not going to see the best of AJ in fights against Franklin and Helenius,” Hearn said. “It’s why he chose Dillian Whyte [thrown out for positive drug test].
“It was a fight that he actually wanted, and he could get up for. So, this week’s been a complete nightmare [finding a new opponent].
“You know, honestly, if he would’ve just boxed like that for another six rounds and just won on points, I know people would’ve been disappointed.
“But I would’ve just gone, ‘Thank God.’ But just pleased that he got the showroom knockout.”
Losing the Whyte fight is another stain on the UK after several episodes [Whyte, Conor Benn, and Amir Khan] of fighters with adverse findings. The UK is becoming a hotbed for VADA flags, especially over the past twelve months.
Moving on to the evidence of Saturday night, Joshua must change his style entirely against Wilder. It could be over early if he fights like that in Saudi Arabia.
Wilder feeds off those who don’t let their hands go. One hesitation and he pounces in an instant and usually ends the argument.
At to the fact that AJ has a known weak chin, Wilder begins the pre-fight favorite. The only saving grace for the Briton is that Wilder can be hurt badly too.
Joshua certainly has the power to trouble Wilder with one punch. But to do that, he’ll have to be more willing to pull the trigger.
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer.
