It seems to be confirmed that there was a rematch clause. Probably with different money split, which would make it reasonable for Dubois to take, as Joshua is the cash cow. Should he take it? Once he gets tagged, Joshua has little to no recuperative capacity, but if he sets boundaries early, countering with intention, and adds on top of grappling the high guard Robert Garcia was drilling him at, I reckon he can pull it off. As I see it, he should have spent more time watching Lennox. Lewis had two avenged losses, but through his career he faced a murderer's row of punchers (Gary Mason, Razor Ruddock, Oliver McCall, David Tua, Frans Botha, Tommy Morrison, Micheal Grant, Shannon Briggs, Hasim Rahman, and remnants of Mike Tyson and Mike Weaver. Lionel Butler could hit as well.) The nine planes of existence that lie between the two Brits skill-wise aside: Lennox always knew to keep his cool, make them fall short with their punches, and counter or lead with mean intentions when necessary, changing the head slot or angle along the way. He knew to cover behind the high guard and weave when hurt or pushed back, and likely employed various other stratagems I am too much of an internet warriors to see. I can see Joshua winning, but attempting Ruiz II is not the way. This time I reckon he has to think a tad less, and throw the weight around a little bit more, reversing his approaches from the Andy fights.
No. He needs to go back to the drawing board, have a tune up match (not 4), and try again. If he tried again so soon he'd get knocked out sooner tbh. He was fortune the fight wasn't called earlier.
I voted no. In general I don't like rematches unless it's a close or controversial fight. This was neither. And specifically I didn't see anything in there to show that a rematch would go any differently. Dubois won handily. That should be accepted and everyone should move on.
No, Joshua is done and Dubois should be the unified champ. He would be if body shots were legal in Usyk fights. But he's being protected.
In my personal opinion, no. I think he should seriously consider retirement. Not only did AJ take a serious beating that could potentially leave him shot as a top level boxer, his skills have also seemed to regress. His boxing sense was practically non existent and so were his adaptive abilities. If AJ wants to win he would likely need a quick, brutal KO within the first 2 or 3, but I simply don't think he has the mental 'dog' in him anymore to force a firefight. If the rematch happens I think the result would be the same. Also, such a one sided beatdown shouldn't actually deserve a rematch anyway. Best bet for him would be to set up a Wilder bout. It would still attract the casuals and is a very likely win for him. Even a 'rebuild' could be dangerous as the current HW scene has some killers in it.
From AJ perspective yes! The extreme favouritism from being the A side means he is still one win away from a trilogy with a 39 year old Usyk or Wasted Fury for undisputed. He got the **** kocked out of him last night. But with some adjustments (high guard especially) its not impossible he beats dubois in the rematch. He doesnt deserve it and it should not happen imo but from his point of view Eddie is doing everything to get him those titles and its still possible. He is way more favoured and helped than the rest of the division.
No way, Dubois is far too quick and has a better jab than AJ, he also has quicker feet than Ruiz and stuck his elbow in AJ`s face everytime he tried to clinch, AJ needs to stop lowering his lead hand.
Yes but its not 10 wins for Dubois if they fight 10 times. Aj could catch him like he almost did before het ktfo.
Any shot below the belly button is considered illegal, the reason for this is to protect a boxers bowels in case it makes them crap themselves, Dubois hit AJ low once too.
Keep busy fight in January and then a curtain closer V Fury in May next year. Then that's it for both men. What exactly is in it for Joshua to rematch Dubois. A chance at a trinket belt so he can say 3 time champion as if that means anything? It's all so tiresome. He's too old to be chasing around after belts, take the loss on the chin (heh) and move on. Fight someone new.
I don`t want to see Wilder in the ring again, and AJ should fight on Dubois`s undercard from here on.