Is there more than just genetics at play?
Wednesday 7 March 2018 14:17, UK
Anthony Joshua has been gradually weighing more and more, but Deontay Wilder is getting lighter. James Dielhenn assesses their opposite approaches...
There is a difference of almost three stone if you compare Joshua and Wilder's most recent weigh-in results. Joshua has been at his career-heaviest in each of his most recent two fights, while Wilder has been slimming down in each of his past five.
The world heavyweight champions are at opposite ends of the spectrum for their division and eventually, one will be exposed as too heavy or the other will be proven to be too small.
Different reactions to their heaviest ever weights
Wilder's heaviest is nearly two stone lighter than Joshua's heaviest. Wilder was 229lbs / 16st 5lbs when he beat Eric Molina in 2015.
Wilder was taken nine rounds by Molina, the longest he had boxed by five rounds. He has then gradually lost weight ever since.
Joshua posted 250lbs / 17st 12lbs against Wladimir Klitschko last year, and like Wilder at his heaviest, was also dragged longer in a fight than ever before. But his reaction was different.
Joshua's weight increased again when he fought Carlos Takam in his most recent fight, where he was taken 10 rounds.
What is their optimum weight?
Wherever he feels fast, strong, fit, healthy and sharp. The actual number is less important. If you carry more weight, you carry more strength – but you need a bigger engine. As long as all the pieces in the puzzle fit, the final number doesn’t matter. But we do have a number in our head, and we are working to a target.
The best combination of speed and strength comes at 224 – 227lbs (16st - 16st 3lbs). In there, he’s unbelievably strong and agile. Early on in his career we thought about getting him to 245lbs (17st 7lbs) but we realised it wasn’t genetically going to happen. Deontay has been out-weighed 37 out of 40 fights so it’s not a problem. The guys can’t lean on him because he’s 6’7’’. As opposed to a guy like Takam or Povetkin who you can lean down on.
I can't see [Joshua] coming in more than 17st 8lbs or 17st 9lbs [to fight Parker], which would be half-a-stone lighter than the last fight. Maybe he will be even lighter.
How does Joseph Parker measure up?
The WBO champion, who will unify his belt with Joshua's on March 31 live on Sky Sports Box Office, has held a more consistent weight. He stands two inches shorter than Joshua, three less than Wilder.
Now, instead of having him fight [around 17st 9lbs], I'll have him fight [around 17st]. I want to drop some weight.
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
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