How do you explain Joshua was much more competitive against Usyk than Dubois? Joshua is still a better more complete fighter?
Because boxing isn't as simple a sport as it seems. Yes, Dubois defeated AJ, so it's safe to assume he was better in the direct confrontation that evening, but I wouldn't say he's the better fighter overall. I can't imagine him dealing with Wladimir Klitschko or even Povetkin. I don't think he would have easily defeated Parker either. It just so happened that the traits Dubois possesses align with AJ's weaknesses: incredibly powerful punching with only decent resistance, intense pressure that Joshua doesn't necessarily appreciate, and quick hands at close range. An aggressive stance. Well, I could go on and on about this. Furthermore, in my opinion, at least (perhaps because I like and respect AJ), I think this fight didn't go well for AJ. It's hard to say if it was a stress issue, as he's always handled it well, but the guy fought well below his potential. Maybe it was just that punch in the opening phase of the fight, but generally, a boxer of this caliber shouldn't have been hit with such a powerful punch, as it was visible from another continent. Something didn't feel right. He seemed tense from the start. The fact that he could have looked better, in my opinion, is confirmed by the fact that as he slowly began to recover, the punches started coming his way. It's also difficult to judge the attitude of a guy who was seriously injured and always had trouble recovering quickly from such situations. This is what separates Fury from, say, Wilder or AJ. Everyone can get hurt, but only Fury was able to get back into the fight after a short break. Wilder and Joshua are zombies for two or three rounds, and against a wild man like Dubois in such condition, it's hard to survive.
This^ The mano-mano kicked in. And the first shot that Dubois put AJ down with was so wide and reaching and telegraphed, shows AJ simply just wasn't concentrating at all.
I would say AJ is better than Dubious as a general boxer. He's even less of a quitter. That's why I think he could have beaten Dubious in a rematch. But he was actually too scared to risk it again. I think failing to rematch Dubious and then possibly fighting Jake Paul is going to age badly for him, he's a tragic disgrace really.
I actually don't agree. When i was watching the fight when Joshua was walking to the ring to me he had the same look he had vs Ruiz the 1st time and it gave me some pause. When the first bell rung Joshua looked unsure he hadn't fought a real dangerous opponent in some time especially an opponent who hits as hard as Dubois. Dubois asserted himself straight away backing up Joshua with the jab and Joshua didn't look confident and then caught. Dubois tried the same thing with Usyk in their rematch trying to be assterive with the jab but Usyk discouraged him with with some hard jabs himself.
Both Dubious and AJ are basic plodding bums Dubious worked off his jab in the first Usyk bout, didn't really pace himself for the end of the fight. Landed a legit bodyblow which knocked Usyk down. Usyk took risks positionially in that bout he normally wouldn't do, the rematch was simply to adjust that and he made it light work. Dubious also ditched the jab in the rematch probably worried about gassing out like he did in the 1st bout. Honestly I don't think Usyk performed to his best in either AJ bout. He was flat in the 2nd bout and cruised through it. 1st bout he started great then jumped down 2 gears to cruise after dominating the first 4 rounds. Both are poor...AJ is just pathetically poor and manufactured...
Agree with this, I also think the fact he hasn’t taken the opportunity to rematch Dubois tells us all we need to know about AJ’s intentions at this point in his career I really think at the point of the knockout that Dubois was just starting to doubt himself, It looked like there were questions creeping into his head given the early success and the fact Joshua was still in front of him but fair play he found the shot and what a shot it was
We all see different things, mate. All very valid to ourselves. I'm certainly not taking anything away from Dubois here, both in HIS approach and game plan execution. It worked!. Convincingly. I just thought AJ was following Dubois's script, on the fly here, as Dubois did strongly set it.. AND I think AJ may have actually underestimated Dubois in thinking he could stand toe to toe so to speak, and play THAT macho game and win. Had AJ approached the Dubois fight with similar control and caution as he did in the first Usyk fight, and concentrate on his boxing I think he could have faired better overall. Again, AJ getting caught with that first wide haymaker was shameful. He didn't ride it 1mm. That shook him to his boots. Mentally and physically..and I think it set the wrong fight presidence for AJ to follow. Tbh, I will give this scrap a re-watch as it was a good one!
