What could he have done differently? Thoughts on the potential rematch? I think AJ should have boxed and moved, used his jab and reach as an advantage and look for openings when throwing the right hand. Tie Ruiz Jr up when he came in close for the brawl. But hats off to Ruiz Jr, what a performance.
AJ couldn`t throw much early on because he`s not defensively responsible after punching, his head is right there stationary, Ruiz was throwing fast counters and walking AJ down, AJ needs to work on his defense, watch some film studies and get a new trainer.
I agree with the new trainer point. We have all seen in his past fights that he does not move his head most notably in fights against (Povetkin, Takam, Ruiz Jr) Its surprising his team have not worked on such a basic aspect of boxing. I suppose taking up boxing at an older age doesn't give you the pedigree and experience and most importantly time of learning to move your head with every punch one throws.
Another great point, his team should have worked on this many fights ago. He cannot stand and fight like that against Fury and Wilder. He could seriously get hurt from Wilder and Fury would jab his face off.
He should have let his right hand go like Wlad. Clinching more. Should have fought Ruiz like he did Parker. Much better tactic.
Parker reminds a bit of Ruiz. Joshua didnt overlook him. Just compare his footwork from both fights. Fought much more catious against Parker...
I think Parker has great potential, especially with the hand speed, chin and movement. He could have done serious damage to AJ in that fight if the ref allowed inside fighting. AJ should learn from his fights. Something his team have failed to do.
Well, he might have been suffering from a concussion going in, so there are lots of things he did wrong in there, and lots of things he could do right in the rematch. Ruiz is a good fighter, but he's not superman, and a fighter of Joshua's calibre should be able to beat him if he's firing on all cylinders. A simple jab and right hand game would keep Ruiz at bay and win a decision. Parker was able to do it FFS.
He hardly threw the right hand, just jabbed and hooked with the left constantly and had the right hand too low. He should’ve done what his trainer said? Keep it long, work off the 1-2 and the openings will come, AJ had a 20cm reach advantage
He should watch some wlad fights He need to learn to jab, move faster on his foots to maintain the distance and clinch if needed. Him trading with a much shorter guy in close range was stupid. I think wlad would outbox ruiz easily and probably get a late stoppage even at this age. Ruiz has fast hands and durability, but he doesn't move fast enough to close the distance.
Joshuas lacks - a sharp & superior jab vs. aggressive pressure fighters. He can use a jab vs. guys like Parker or Povetkin who are not pressuring all the time and fighting more cautious and defensively but he clearly lacks a sharp and superior jab vs. guys like Ruiz who are fearless and coming forward all the time, throwing fast hands and combinations from all angles. - an inside game. Joshua has absolutely no idea how to fight out of the clinch, even vs. a guy who is 6'0 or 6'1 compared to his 6'6. Ruiz was mauling him from the clinch with fast combos. He also has no idea how to move at the inside to avoid punches. Did you ever see Joshua ducking a punch at the inside? I can't remember. He also is no combination puncher at the inside, he's a basic 1-2 guy who can't fight at the inside, he never learned it and he never needed it, now he's in trouble as he's facing guys where he need that to get respect. - head movement It's not a good sign if a guy who hasn't had head movement 3 or 4 years ago still lacking such a basic tool to avoid punches. I don't get it what they're doing in training camps or in training in general. - defensive skills in general. He is simply too easy to hit. Let's face the truth. Especially at the inside. That was the reason why the protected him vs. a fast-handed guy like Parker and the ref was stopping any inside action immediately (although i have to admit Parker fought very negative). - a good chin and punch resistance. Whyte, Povetkin wobbled him with the first good punch they landd on him. Wlad dropped him and would have finished him but decided otherwise. Ruiz beat him up. His chin is below average and his punch resistance isn't good either, he can't take a good punch. This is crucial in the HWD. Look at Wilder (Ortiz, Fury) or Fury (Wilder). They might both have not the best chin but they can take a punch and they have very good recovery after getting hurt & rocked. I think Fury hasn't a good chin but he has good recovery and good legs. Wilder is chinny but has solid chin and solid legs. You need one of those things (good legs, good chin or good recovery) to make it. Joshua was on ***** street after the first temple shot landed.
