and saying it was "sloppy" and not polished - but I think they are missing the point: The HW division isn't usually a "polished" product - nor would many want it to be. It's the one division where giants collide -- often with reckless abandon -- to the degree where the more skilled guy could get smoked out by a single power shot.

While it's true that Wilder tends to swing/wide, wild, and untamed when he has his opponent hurt (though he's getting better at being more clinical when his guy is buzzed) - that's precisely what makes a fighter like Wilder so compelling.

He doesn't have the best jab (although it's very effective when thrown with conviction). Doesn't have the best defense (fights with hands low and often gets tagged unnecessarily) - doesn't have the best footwork/mastery of distance (he was struggling with regards to ring generalship against Ortiz and was often at the wrong fighting distance for his length) - what he does have is exceptional: lion-heart courage, authentic bravado, and world-class thudding power. When he lands his shots - nobody has been able to stand up to them - and he's a heavyweight of 80's/90's throwback vintage with regards to the ability to just stand in the pocket and bang heavy (unlike the more cerebral, technically proficient HWs like Lewis/Klitschko).

I thought last night's fight was the best of the early year - and was one of the better HW fights of the past decade. Joshua/Wladimir was the best HW fight of the new century. HW boxing is back. Wilder v. Joshua could be the biggest unification fight in the sport, and perhaps even the most compelling.
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