Usyk could outbox AJ. He is a skilled southpaw and all but I have this overwhelming suspicion that no matter how well he does we are likely to get some grossly negligent scorecards. I just believe there is too much money involved in a potential Fury versus AJ to allow Usyk a close win or even a win on the cards. Maybe I’m just jaded after seeing constant gobshite judging. Thoughts? Try to keep it civil.
No, but I don't think they will be bought and paid for, I'm not suggesting for a moment corruption. But they will side with AJ, they will side with the "money", they will side with the A-Side, they will side with the home fighter, they will side with the British crowd. When you look back at AJ Vs Ruiz, watch that fight again, I have many times and I can't explain how 1 judge had AJ 1 round/point up after 6 and the other two had Ruiz Jr 1 up after 6. If a judge had AJ up after 6 and the other two had it that close.. Usyk has to win LARGE to get a decision. I think Usyk beats AJ, I believe I'll watch Usyk outpoint AJ and get stiffed on the cards.. it's the way it is in the UK now, we accept it and moan a little then move on to next week. Lewis Ritson boxes this weekend, he lost to Vasquez last time out, anybody with an eye saw him lose, it wasn't remotely close, after the fight Hearn, Sky pundits made excuses, tried to claim it was "a close one, could have gone either way". They all really pushed it, almost men in black style, they were just missing the flash stick. Ritson vanished for a while, let it all blow over, now he is back this weekend in a title eliminator and everybody, including Ritson is saying he got a gift. I believe we may see exactly the same with Usyk and AJ.
I would be very surprised to see Usyk get a decision over Joshua. Usyk’s best bet is to be his own judge and stop Joshua.
No he will likely have to shut AJ out or KO him. Bivol lost 2 or at absolute worst 3 rounds against Craig Richards but two of the judge's cards were extremely close: 115-114 and 115-113 which was scandalous. That's Craig Richards not the most popular fighter in the UK AJ
Oh that's a great mention, Craig Richards, I've watched that back since and those cards were outrageous, and once again everybody involved all moved on because "the right man won", so the scorecards all melt away and the judges return a month later to try and stiff somebody else. And Yeah that's how I see it, Usyk will have to stop AJ to actually win.
LOL no. Undisputed is on the line and it's happening in Aj's home country. This only has one outcome if it goes the distance and if Usyk pulls off a knockout victory they'll just have a rematch
Yes exactly. I honestly couldn't believe my ears when I heard those two cards announced. The fight wasn't remotely close at all and I felt really bad for Bivol.
Considering AJ's profile and the undisputed fight being theoretically just one fight away, Usyk won't win this even if he pitches a shut-out. I suspect he knows this though: Bellew was up on the cards when he got KO'd despite outlanding Usyk in only one round by a single punch and Chisora was given 5 rounds when he deserved 2-3. The motive in at least one but probably both fights was to keep Usyk from facing AJ down the road, which recently blew-up in Hearn's face. A clue that Usyk will be going for a KO (his only viable way to win) is he's been putting on weight, apparently as much as a stone.
Ah. Usyk only wins a decision if he wins wide? That's as good a reason as any to be doubtful about the outcome. In a neutral location I'd lean for a win by Usyk by Decision. If Usyk feels he must go for the knockout to have a chance at victory, literally anything could happen.
He had a better gameplan in the rematch and was more physically suited to the task (unlike his opponent) but taking KO losses adds wear and tear and can knock your confidence, especially when they are in relatively quick succession. Both fighters would have something taken out of them for a rematch.
I wouldn't be surprised if Usyk won by knock out he is not a big puncher but to me AJ's chin seems fragile. If Usyk catches him clean he will hurt him. AJ is still a great fighter though and I also wouldn't be surprised to see him win by KO or on points.
I would be genuinely suprised if Aj won by KO. He just doesn't have the gas tank nor the iq to take it to Usyk. Just look at the Ruiz rematch, he was scared for dear life just being in the ring with the same man that took his soul and his belts. He hasn't been the same ever since. If Pulev couldn't get the job done Usyk will, and if Usyk doesn't get the job done Fury will have to take matters into his own hands and brutally knock out the musclebound stiff himself. All roads lead to the bodybuilder getting brutally knocked out, wether it be by Fury, Usyk, or Ruiz if Aj still posseses the mental strength to give the diabetic angry bird a rematch
