Joshua's Current Mental State

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by HEADBANGER, Nov 17, 2024.


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  1. HEADBANGER

    HEADBANGER TEAM ELITE GENERAL Full Member

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    Theres a number of differing factors involved that contribute to Joshua's current mental state, that makes me question whether he could ever be a serious contender again.

    1) Dubois absolutely pulverised Joshua around the ring, a sustained one sided beating for the 1st time in his career, something that fighters find it very difficult to recover from.

    2) it's the first time hes ever been knocked out in his pro career

    3) Joshua had his mojo, belief, and ego back after the Wallin and Ngannou KOs, he started to believe his own hype that he was the wrecking ball he used to be. That mental resurgence has been shattered, deep down he must be realising that his resurgence was mainly down to the fact that his level of opponent had been much lower for a sustained period (Franklin, Helenius, Wallin, Ngannou)

    4) Joshua seemed to avoid accountability for his own performances by switching trainers regularly in the past. This time, he can't blame Ben Davison because he'd led the public to believe they were the dream team, Joshua is forced to look at himself this time.

    5) Joshua has now publically ducked an opponent and a rematch for the first time in his career. Everyone knows Dubois was up for the rematch but Joshua has turned down a golden chance to become 3 time heavyweight champion of the world. Dubois has knocked the belief and confidence out of Joshua. Eddie Hearn has always said Joshua is the boss and makes the decisions, but let's say for a second that Hearn made this decision to duck the Dubois rematch, in that case, Joshua knows his wingman has lost faith in him and doesn't believe he can beat Dubois either.

    6) We saw in the past how Joshua's style in the ring changed due to set backs, we saw Joshua evolve from an instinctive, fearless, wrecking ball and turn into a fighter scared of his own shadow, worried about his own chin, and stamina issues against Ruiz 2, Usyk, Franklin, Helenius.

    Joshua's mojo returned after the Wallin and Ngannou stoppages but after this Dubois destruction, the effects on his future fighting style are going to be huge. I can only imagine we will see the return to the cautious, safety first Joshua, one more interested in holding his hands much higher and avoiding exchanges, a fighting style that steers him well away from using what are his actual strengths in the ring.
     
    HEADBANGER, Nov 17, 2024
    HEADBANGER, Nov 17, 2024
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  2. Beale

    Beale Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Joshua has always been mentally weak hence the very low risk matchmaking until he met Usyk.

    Any genuine world level fighter wipes him out and he was never great in the first place.
     
    Beale, Nov 17, 2024
    Beale, Nov 17, 2024
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  3. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Joshua will be ok as soon as he retires, when everything settles down he will recover mentally...
     
    CroBox29, Nov 17, 2024
    CroBox29, Nov 17, 2024
    #3
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  4. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    CST80, Nov 17, 2024
    CST80, Nov 17, 2024
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  5. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    He surrounded himself with yes men. His fans all turned into yes men.

    Telling everyone about his form after losing to Usyk, never really considering the level of opponent.

    I kept telling people Dubois was fighting at a massively higher level than AJ, but too many wouldn't listen.

    AJ never recovered from the Usyk rematch. He couldn't fathom his loss. Everything since then is smoke and mirrors.
     
    lufcrazy, Nov 17, 2024
    lufcrazy, Nov 17, 2024
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  6. destruction

    destruction Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He is fighting on purely for the money he can get.

    All his self belief at the highest level has gone.

    This isn’t about legacy anymore he knows in his heart of hearts he doesn’t even want to be in the ring anymore. But feels like it’s his duty to his hangers on and lackeys to continue to fight to bring them a payday.
     
    destruction, Nov 17, 2024
    destruction, Nov 17, 2024
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  7. HEADBANGER

    HEADBANGER TEAM ELITE GENERAL Full Member

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    I do think theres a case for him being mentally weak, I'm not sure his match making was particularly low risk before Usyk, you're looking at Whyte, Klitchsko, Parker, Povetkin, Pulev, I know you can argue about the time in their career he fought them.

    Out of that generation, he only really missed Wilder and Fury and they can be blamed as much as Joshua for not making those fights.

    Out of the newer generation, things do look tough for him, Usyk and Dubois soundly beat him, then you'd be pushed to fancy him against the likes of Hyrgovic, Zhang, Bakole. I think Joshua is hanging around for a shot version of Fury and a big pay day.
     
    HEADBANGER, Nov 17, 2024
    HEADBANGER, Nov 17, 2024
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  8. Beale

    Beale Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You have cracked it - a vacant title or a final fight with Fury or Whyte.

    Those listed by you above are small and/or old men and Whyte has always been British level garbage.

    Pulev may even get wheeled out for his comeback.
     
    Beale, Nov 17, 2024
    Beale, Nov 17, 2024
    #8
  9. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He literally signed contracts to fight both of them. People forget that.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Nov 17, 2024
    MaccaveliMacc, Nov 17, 2024
    #9
  10. Mickc

    Mickc Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Both Hearn and Joshua are hanging around looking for the last big money roll of the dice with a Fury fight,I truly believe that this has always been Hearns plan for Joshua. As for Joshua I’m surprised tbh that he has refused his ReMatchroom contract to fight Dubois as in the past he has always gone through with the immediate rematches after taking a loss,maybe this time the Dubois loss has been too much to take and he just doesn’t want that smoke again .
     
    Mickc, Nov 17, 2024
    Mickc, Nov 17, 2024
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  11. Drstillhammer

    Drstillhammer Member Full Member

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    Get the Wilder fight done end off.
     
    Drstillhammer, Nov 17, 2024
    Drstillhammer, Nov 17, 2024
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  12. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He's always been a mental midget
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Nov 17, 2024
    MarkusFlorez99, Nov 17, 2024
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  13. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    it was apparent from the opening that he couldn’t take Dubois’s power. Every single thing Dubois landed, including jabs, was visibly hurting him.

    realistically, what are his chances against a guy who can just hurt him at will like that? Seems none.

    and Zhang or Bakole? lol. Joshua isn’t getting near another banger for the rest of his career. Whatever punch resistance he did have was ruined by Wlad. Now he’s Ken Norton.
     
    Barrf, Nov 17, 2024
    Barrf, Nov 17, 2024
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  14. GarethUmmDavies

    GarethUmmDavies Member Full Member

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    Ruiz knocked Joshua out. That's why it is registered as a knockout.
     
    GarethUmmDavies, Nov 17, 2024
    GarethUmmDavies, Nov 17, 2024
    #14
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  15. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

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    He's praying and Eddie that Fury beats Usyk. Which very well could happen but I guarantee 100% that Fury will not mess around with that bum dosser. 1. Because Usyk deserves a trilogy fight if he wants it and 2. There is always a punchers chance even for the bodybuilding bum which Fury will not give him. Dubious rightfully deserves the shot at the winner/loser of Fury Usyk. Why would AJ deserve it? There is no reason, the business case is gone. Fury Dubious sells better.

    AJ is finished but Eddie Hearn is still in denial about it & trying to sell AJ the idea that he has something left in boxing when he doesn't.
     
    miniq, Nov 17, 2024
    miniq, Nov 17, 2024
    #15
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