Aj needs to fight and beat ortiz impressive to keep pace with fury-wilder

[Robbie Barrett]

You know... its not always about wins and losses. Its about performance. So for example, lets say when Joshua fought Parker, all the judges were from New Zealand and gave Parker a decision... And let say the judges in the Wilder fight against Fury went with Wilder...

You have to look at performance. Ortiz performed a lot better than Povatkin when given a chance at the top of the division. Povatkin did nothing against AJ, Otrtiz almost got Wilder. That is what is relevant, not wins and losses.

Szpilka outboxed Wilder too. Is he elite, should he get a shot?

It's all about wins. Fighters shouldn't be rewarded fighting bums. The fighters fighting and beating top 10 comp deserve the title shots.

[NEETzsche]

I think an Ortiz fight would be the better move if Fury/Wilder rematch. I disagree with you because Usyk hasn't fought a HWT fight yet, AJ already beat Whyte, and Ortiz hurt Wilder and almost had him out.

I rate Ortiz pretty highly on the eye test but I like fighters to earn title shots by taking tough eliminator fights, which he hasn't done so far. If he goes and loses to Joshua now and retires afterwards, he will be forgotten instantly thanks to his flimsy resume. Whyte has worked his arse off since the defeat and looks a better fighter now. You can pick holes in his wins over Parker, Chisora, Helenius and Browne but the fact is that no one else at heavyweight outside of the title-holders has put together a better run of form than that. Blame the others for setting such a low bar

I'd like to see Usyk have a warm-up or two at the weight first but I'd still consider him a bigger threat to Joshua than any other contender. It's not exactly unheard of for champions to move to the next division up and fight for the title straight away

[Robbie Barrett]

He almost stopped wilder ya dozzer! It was not outboxing, he had Wilder hurt with big punches.

Any fighter can clip another. Doesn't make them elite FFS.

He had a title shot and failed and you think that justifies another shot with him doing **** all to earn one. Guys like Whyte have been fighting and beating top 10 HW's, why the **** should Ortiz get a shot over him?

[The Big Dunn]

I rate Ortiz pretty highly on the eye test but I like fighters to earn title shots by taking tough eliminator fights, which he hasn't done so far. If he goes and loses to Joshua now and retires afterwards, he will be forgotten instantly thanks to his flimsy resume. Whyte has worked his arse off since the defeat and looks a better fighter now. You can pick holes in his wins over Parker, Chisora, Helenius and Browne but the fact is that no one else at heavyweight outside of the title-holders has put together a better run of form than that. Blame the others for setting such a low bar

I'd like to see Usyk have a warm-up or two at the weight first but I'd still consider him a bigger threat to Joshua than any other contender. It's not exactly unheard of for champions to move to the next division up and fight for the title straight away

Good points I see what you mean. I agree Usyk is the main threat with his ability to box and move.

[Adamsc151]

I'd pay to watch AJ-Ortiz, but why would it specifically need to be the old Cuban when he's already fought others around the same level?
If Fury and Wilder want to continue 69ing each other, then Joshua still has some acceptable options as opponents; the top 3 being Ortiz, Pulev and Miller - in no particular order. Among the other current top contenders, Joshua has already beaten Povetkin, Whyte, Parker and Breazeale - and I don't fancy watching rematches just yet.
The likes of Kownacki, Kabayel, Hammer, Helenius, Chisora, Jennings, Szpilka and Duhaupas are not quite world title-shot worthy at this point; and Usyk needs at least a fight or 2 against somebody I've already mentioned above to get himself ready.

[Jax teller]

Ortiz has a lot of experience and did great against Wilder. Big Baby does not yet have the experience. Now,.. If Joshua wants to pick from the barrel, its not a bad thing to fight a guy coming up like Miller, Ruiz, etc. But he did so against Parker relatively recently and it might be better if these guys were exposed against each other. Ortiz has proven himself against the top of the division.

Whyte also has fought well against AJ. People forget that fight but Whyte looked good. AJ has gotten better since then and this might affect a subsequent fight between the two.

Ortiz didn't prove anything against Wilder apart from stamina issues and unsless you want to admit Fury exposed Wilder then it's no secret Wilder can't box and Ortiz can that outboxing him till he gets knocked was expected. His opposition is poor as was his performance against Scott, Allen and now Kaufman he may have the ability but he has far from proved it

Whether Ortiz, Whyte or Miller do better against AJ is a separate matter which I'm sure we would disagree on but this is not what I was talking about. My original point is both a fight with Whyte and Miller will sell better to casuals due to the personalities and grudges that can be made up.

[billeau2]

Any fighter can clip another. Doesn't make them elite FFS.

He had a title shot and failed and you think that justifies another shot with him doing **** all to earn one. Guys like Whyte have been fighting and beating top 10 HW's, why the **** should Ortiz get a shot over him?

When did I say Ortiz should get a "shot over Whyte?" Whyte also performed well, read my posts... The only problem would be that Whyte fought AJ already, but Whyte is deserving.

And come on Robbie! Wilder "clipped" Fury that first knockdown (should have been a 10-9 round frankly), Ortiz had a sustained effort and had Wilder in some trouble for a round. There is a big difference.

[Robbie Barrett]

When did I say Ortiz should get a "shot over Whyte?" Whyte also performed well, read my posts... The only problem would be that Whyte fought AJ already, but Whyte is deserving.

And come on Robbie! Wilder "clipped" Fury that first knockdown (should have been a 10-9 round frankly), Ortiz had a sustained effort and had Wilder in some trouble for a round. There is a big difference.

While there's fighter that have beaten top 10 fighters about i don't think Ortiz should be even considered for a shot. He needs to step up and earn it.

[billeau2]

Ortiz didn't prove anything against Wilder apart from stamina issues and unsless you want to admit Fury exposed Wilder then it's no secret Wilder can't box and Ortiz can that outboxing him till he gets knocked was expected. His opposition is poor as was his performance against Scott, Allen and now Kaufman he may have the ability but he has far from proved it

Whether Ortiz, Whyte or Miller do better against AJ is a separate matter which I'm sure we would disagree on but this is not what I was talking about. My original point is both a fight with Whyte and Miller will sell better to casuals due to the personalities and grudges that can be made up.

Ortiz fights to the level of his competition. He did more than outbox Wilder. Look, I have no problem with Whyte or Miller...Aside from the fact that it would not be a good experience for Miller. He really has to develop more as a fighter and his style will get him creamed. Whyte had his chance at the Gold Ring, but would be a live dog for sure.

[N/A]

On what grounds? He's shown he can be knocked out, Povetkin hadn't at the time he fought AJ this will affect them.

Very few thought Povetkin could win. At one point, Joshua was a 25 to 1 betting favorite. Talk to any expert in Vegas and they'll tell you the odds would be closer in an Ortiz fight.