A classic contest we will remember for years – for all the right reasons
Stunning…simply stunning. A fight, a night, to remember forever. Sport doesn’t come much better than this. Where on earth to start? In boxing, we see the whole spectrum of contests, fighters and behaviour. The good, the bad and the ugly. But it’s not called the hardest game for nothing, and anyone who steps through the ropes knows they are putting their body on the line in a way no other sport does. As Ricky Hatton once said, it’s not a tickling contest, is it?
Tonight, we witnessed the very best, the ultimate excellence of a contest, character and sportsmanship. If this is ever bettered, I’d love to be there. A night of the utmost drama, bravery, skill, resilience and respect. Sure, AJ won – but so did boxing, so did sport.
The record books will show Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in round eleven, to retain his IBF belt, and take Klitschko’s WBA and IBO baubles. The list of World heavyweight champions is getting smaller. Deontay Wilder still holds the WBC version, and Joseph Parker the WBO title. Could Joshua be the one man who unites them all and carries the title of undisputed World Champion, in what still remains the most glamorous, blue riband of weights? Don’t bet against it.
It was a fight of raw excitement and unpredictability, swinging one way then the other, totally riveting from start to finish. And there was no shortage of quality – make no mistake, this was the real deal of world title fights, with two protagonists of the highest class.
A cagey first two rounds heightened anticipation of what was to come. Klitshcko, looking supremely fit at 41 and massively focused, claimed the centre of the ring for long periods with good head movement. His ring craft developed over a professional career spanning 21 years was very evident. Joshua could certainly feel the force and sported a grazed left eye by the end of the second round.
The pace quickened in Round three, Klitschko’s movement remained impressive, up on his toes and not conceding an inch of ground. Joshua meanwhile was beginning to show impressive hand speed, and landed a sweet right uppercut that reminded Klitschko that he was in a serious battle.
Round four showed us what we had to look forward to in this utterly gripping contest. Straight from the bell, Klitschko unloaded several impressive right hands and Joshua looked hurt. Despite the trouble Klitschko was giving him, Joshua secured some decent ring positions, and although slightly ragged, by the end of the round was giving Klitschko some notable firepower back in return.
The fifth was incredible. It surely wasn’t feasible for so much drama to be encapsulated into just 3 minutes. Joshua unloaded bombs straight from the bell, and Klitschko suffered a nasty cut above his left eye. It was savage stuff from Joshua. Klitschko couldn’t cope with the barrage of rights and lefts and went down. Joshua’s arms were aloft – was this his moment of victory? Oh no, Sir…this is the legend that is Wladimir Klitschko. The Ukrainian got to his feet, and as if to punish Joshua for the young pups temerity for what he’d just done, somehow, incredibly, came back at the Briton with a big right hand and Joshua was in serious trouble. What a turnaround. With a minute of the round remaining, this was Klitschko’s chance. Joshua was at a standstill. The tank looked empty and the titles looked like they were already on their way back to the Ukraine. But somehow Joshua held on – a testament to his conditioning and stamina – and he survived. What a fight this was turning into.
As they came out for the sixth, Klitschko’s cut was looking bad. Did this spur him on to wrap up the fight as quickly as possible? Who knows – but with a minute and 48 seconds remaining, a massive right hand scrambled Joshua’s senses and luckily for him a follow-up left from Klitschko didn’t connect cleanly – but Joshua went down in a heap, and yet again Watford’s finest looked beaten.
Joshua got to his feet but looked very unsteady. Klitschko landed a big left in the corner, prompting a shake of the head from Joshua. But this looked bad, very bad, for Joshua. Klitschko was patiently looking for the knockout blow, that one clean, flush shot which would end things. It looked only a matter of time. Klitschko repeatedly looked to set up his right hand for the big finish but it just didn’t come. Joshua made it to the end of the round and full credit to him for that achievement – his heart, courage and determination got him through a crisis that looked terminal.
Somehow this amazing contest was entering its second half – what a tribute to these two warriors. Neither conceding an inch, neither taking a backward step. Two athletes at the highest level totally immersed in the toughest of contests, and both desperate not to end up the loser. For what it’s worth, at this point I had Joshua 2 points ahead of Klitschko but in reality this fight was always so evenly balanced, based on their respective power and durability.
Round seven saw both fighters taking a breather from the carnage of the previous round. Joshua used the round as a recovery period by keeping himself out of further trouble, despite Klitschko’s ramrod jab once again looking imperious. Joshua had the confidence to give Klitschko some verbals between punches, as Klitschko searched for an opening, looking confident and composed. Joshua produced a small flurry of shots but they didn’t bother Klitschko, who clearly won the round.
In the eighth, Klitschko continued to impress, taking this round as well as the previous one. Yet again he occupied the centre of the ring, giving his legs the least amount of work possible, as he looked settled, and – ominously for Joshua – both confident and re-energised.
Joshua, meanwhile, was still recovering from the damage he sustained in the fifth and sixth, as the spring in his step was gradually returning. he successfully navigated the ninth without further drama.
By the time the bell sounded for the tenth, most observers had Klitschko ahead by now. Was the experience of the old warhorse now proving crucial? What has to be reported at this point is the incredible durability of both men. Considering what they’d launched, taken, and survived – it was phenomenal. It was a close round which Klitschko probably just edged.
Round eleven – and what a finale. Joshua started the round in a hurry. A heavy combination took its toll on Klitschko whose eyes suddenly betrayed the confidence of his earlier demeanour. The beginning of the end for Klitschko was a huge, seismic right uppercut from Joshua which will be replayed for years to come as just about the perfect example of that punch. Klitschko recoiled as though he’d been hit by a runaway train, and another swift Joshua barrage put him on the canvas. He was now in big trouble. He made it back to his feet as Referee David Fields checked his ability to carry on.
Encouraged and ready to finish off his man, Joshua threw a flurry of punches and a massive right hand had Klitschko hurt on the ropes. Another huge punch, this time a left, exploded on Klitschko’s head and down he tumbled once more. Joshua knew this was his big chance. To his credit, as a comparative novice at this level, he remained calm.
Trapping Klitschko in the corner, he knew this was it – his time, his moment, his glory. He unleashed one final, brutal flurry of shots and Fields stepped in to stop the fight. Cue pandemonium. Wembley shouted and cheered itself hoarse, whilst Joshua wore the grin of a man who knew he’d produced something very special. He walked away slowly, looking like a man who’d just run a marathon with a small family car on his back. The effort needed to pull off this win suddenly looked as though it weighed heavily on his shoulders – and no wonder.
The judges’ final scorecards made interesting reading. Two went for Joshua – American Don Trella had Joshua ahead at 96-93, while Puerto Rico’s Nelson Vazquez scored it closer at 95-93 to the Briton. American judge Steve Weisfeld, however, saw it differently and had Klitschko in front at 95-93 – testament to how close this contest was. Personally, I had Joshua ahead by the smallest of margins – 95 to 94.
The brutality of the final round, when seen in the slow motion of the brilliant Sky TV coverage, has to be seen to be believed. The bravery of these two classy boxers was amazing. What a fight. What entertainment. What a positive advert for boxing.
In Joshua, Britain has a new sporting superstar, whose fame and fortune could go stratospheric if he can complete his avowed intention to unify the heavyweight division and become its undisputed king. Boy, is he the real deal. Many predicted this fight was too soon for him (pre-fight, Klitschko had more KO’s to his name, 53, than Joshua had fought professional rounds) many worried about the quality of his previous opponents. But after this win, against a legendary figure who proved he is still a massively formidable opponent, there will be few doubters.
Joshua had to withstand some ferocious shots and proved that, even when tagged and decked, he can climb back up and win. Not many have done that with Klitschko before. Once again, he showed his awesome power, which ultimately proved too much even for a warrior such as Wladimir Klitschko. He also had to prove his stamina, in going almost the full distance for the first time. His physical conditioning, strength and athleticism remain seriously impressive. Is he the full package? Hard not to believe so now.
Can he actually improve? After this, you’d probably have to say yes. He has the natural talent, the desire, the work-ethic and professional pride to do so. As he said after the fight, “I’m not perfect, but I’m trying”. Just what any of his future opponents didn’t want to hear.
Humble, intelligent, eloquent – a sporting icon this country can be very proud of. “You leave your ego at the door, and respect your opponent”, he told the Wembley crowd after the fight. A laudable philosophy delivered with absolute sincerity.
And what can one say about Wladimir Klitschko? A fighter – and indeed a man – who is the epitome of the word class from head to toe. He too is humble and articulate, an absolute credit to boxing, and to sport in general. These men gave us nothing but intelligent anticipation in the build-up to this contest. No trash-talking from these guys. That would be way beneath them. Their mutual respect was a joy to behold and does them both great credit.
The Wembley crowd roared their approval for Klitschko, and speaking from the ring immediately after the fight, he made an impressive, measured speech.
“London – I love you too guys. I hope you enjoyed the fight. Both fighters were really giving it (their) best. The best man won tonight, and it’s an amazing event for boxing. Two gentlemen fought each other – and I say gentlemen because boxing came from England – so, truly two gentlemen will fight each other. Anthony was better today than I, it’s really sad that I didn’t make it tonight, I was planning to do it, it didn’t work, but all the respect to Anthony. Congratulations, love and respect to you guys, ninety thousand people present – you’re awesome guys. Thank you so much for your support of the sport, and of this fight.” Pitch-perfect once again, Mr. Klitshcko.
The questions as to who Joshua fights next, what Klitschko’s next move will be, or if he retires, seem slightly premature right now. Let’s all get our breath back and reflect on one of the best fights you will ever see, conducted exactly as sport should be, but often isn’t. In 1974, Ali & Foreman gave us the Rumble in the Jungle. Tonight, on a truly memorable sporting occasion, Joshua & Klitschko gave us the Gents in Brent – and may God bless them for that.
By Chris Tribe
29th April 2017
Copyright © 2017 Chris Tribe. All Rights Reserved.
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Chris Tribe Sportswriting 