Gareth A. Davies Calls Anthony Joshua A Shot Fighter

“I am seeing a guy whose chin has gone… a shot fighter. He’s still got power, he’s still dangerous, but what I saw in that first round was a man who is very close to the end for me,” Davies said on talkSPORT.

Oliver pointed to Joshua’s stopping ability as a reason he remains dangerous, but acknowledged the physical decline is becoming harder to ignore.

“Everybody would be right in saying that Anthony Joshua does look past his best years for sure because those vulnerabilities seem more obvious now. The durability maybe not what it once was, but he does have that concussive power,” Oliver said.

Davies later reinforced his opinion, saying years of punishment have caught up with the veteran heavyweight.

“I just said what I saw was a man. I think his chin’s gone,” Davies said.

Neither analyst believes the performance should derail a long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury. Oliver argued the rivalry remains too important despite both heavyweights showing signs of decline.

“It’s a fight that’s been talked about for the last 10 years. They have to add that to complete this modern era of boxing,” Oliver said.

Joshua still possesses the erase-everything capability to turn a fight with a single blow, something he demonstrated by stopping Prenga after a disastrous opening round. Against Tyson Fury or another elite heavyweight, that power may have to rescue him again because Davies and Oliver believe his ability to absorb punishment is no longer what it once was.