Former WBO super-featherweight champion turned boxing pundit, Barry Jones, has offered his thoughts ahead of a potential fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
In an interview with Intu Boxing, Jones admitted that he has changed his mind since the two fighters lost their world titles and now massively favours the ‘Bronze Bomber’ to beat the Brit.
Jones went onto say that, in his opinion, ‘AJ’ is lacking in something since he lost his 0.
“When they were both undefeated, I always fancied Joshua and the reason was because Wilder throws his punches from too far out, you can see them coming. Joshua is neat and tidy and down the middle. I always thought he will get there first and if he gets there first, you’re done. Since, the third Wilder-Fury fight, Wilder showed so much bottle in that fight and now I favour Wilder massively in the Joshua fight.”
“If Joshua lands first, he can knock you out, but I think Wilder might be able to take it or get up. If Wilder hits you right, as you’re coming forward, you’re done. I still think there is something lacking with Joshua, that wasn’t lacking before [his defeats], whether that’s mental, confidence or if he’s unsure of himself. You can see, he second guesses himself. Whether there’s too many voices, I don’t know what it is, I’m not blaming anybody, but he is not the same. He is still a good fighter, but he is openly vulnerable and for his style and the way he is, that’s not a good thing.”
For now, the fight has been put on ice as Wilder seems set to face Andy Ruiz in a final eliminator for a shot at the WBC title
Meanwhile, Joshua is looking to rebuild, and has been rumoured for a tough fight with rival Dillian Whyte in early next year, providing Whyte beats Jermaine Franklin at the end of this month.
