Joshua's decline is due to a lack of skill, not chin

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Slyk, Jul 28, 2026.


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  1. Slyk

    Slyk Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm not saying Joshua has some iron chin or the recuperative powers of Fury or Marquez. He doesn't. That said, I've seen plenty of glass jaws and this is not a case of shattered glass. Dubois didn't break Joshua's chin. Nor did Vladimir or Ruiz. Joshua has been hurt many times in many fights since the amateur days.

    The issue we're seeing now is a decline in reflexes and speed and no skills to rely on to counterbalance. Getting hit and hurt by a looping overhand right from Dubois that people in the nosebleeds could see wound up isn't a chin issue, it's a SKILL issue. Joshua takes flush bombs from pretty much everyone he fights now (yes, even Jake Paul).

    If you go back through Joshua's career, there aren't really dominant performances. Charles Martin and Ngannou are some of the only ones. Fighters have landed and hurt him all throughout. In the case of Pringles, he's landing on a guy who is seeing the punch just a little later, maximizing impact. Unfortunately, the skill issue cannot be solved now. Certainly, Usyk's little Rasputin goon isn't going to teach Joshua how to not get hit by a looping overhand right.

    Great fighters have the ability to adjust as their bodies break down. Mayweather stood in the pocket more, Hopkins slowed the fight way down. Unfortunately, Joshua's lack of boxing skill is making a big appearance in the later years. I suggest a new trainer, probably a no-nonsense high level amateur trainer.
     
    Slyk, Jul 28, 2026
    Slyk, Jul 28, 2026
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  2. Zakman

    Zakman ESB's Chinchecker Full Member

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    Joshua's skill has declined, but so has his punch resistance. Yes, his chin was never a strength, but just like Roy Jones, it's now at a point where he's getting wobbled and put on the canvas by mediocrities like Prenga. He's packing glass and I personally think Fury will stop him
     
    Zakman, Jul 28, 2026
    Zakman, Jul 28, 2026
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  3. Slyk

    Slyk Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I don't think his skill has declined - I think it wasn't ever really there for an elite fighter in the first place. Reflexes slowing is resulting in eating more flush bombs, more knockdowns etc. The skill issue was covered up by good speed, power, size, and great matchmaking.
     
    Slyk, Jul 28, 2026
    Slyk, Jul 28, 2026
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  4. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This is the truth. Joshua was always chinny, he just didn't get hit as often as he does now likely due to diminished reflexes.
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Jul 28, 2026
    MarkusFlorez99, Jul 28, 2026
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  5. like a boss

    like a boss have gloves will travel Full Member

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    It's a combination of both.
     
    like a boss, Jul 28, 2026
    like a boss, Jul 28, 2026
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  6. PistonHondai

    PistonHondai Active Member Full Member

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    It’s also because he’s a bodybuilder
     
    PistonHondai, Jul 28, 2026
    PistonHondai, Jul 28, 2026
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  7. BustedSaint

    BustedSaint Country Member Full Member

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    I'm wondering if Fury still has the power? He didn't set too much alight in his last bout.
     
    BustedSaint, Jul 28, 2026
    BustedSaint, Jul 28, 2026
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  8. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Sad this fight didn't happen in their prime. I think AJ's chin has declined worse than Fury's power which was never particularly impressive.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 28, 2026
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 28, 2026
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  9. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    He was always second best to Usyk.

    Never helps fighting once a year at best.
     
    Ice8Cold, Jul 28, 2026
    Ice8Cold, Jul 28, 2026
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  10. thehook13

    thehook13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Truth is probably somewhere in between. Agreed though
     
    thehook13, Jul 28, 2026
    thehook13, Jul 28, 2026
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  11. Joeywill

    Joeywill Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ya him getting caught by Prenga right hand early was a lack of reflexes


    He's never actually been that skilled of a fighter.

    Good athlete that got into boxing late
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2026
    Joeywill, Jul 28, 2026
    Joeywill, Jul 28, 2026
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  12. dogcatcher

    dogcatcher Active Member Full Member

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    AJ was always limited in skill, chin, and confidence. That's why after losing to Ruiz, he avoided Fury and Wilder like the plague. He only took the Usyk fight because he thought Usyk was just a little cruiserweight. I personally rate him lower than Fury and at the same level or lower than Wilder. Prime Wilder as sloppy and unskilled as he was, he would have ko'd AJ.
     
    dogcatcher, Jul 28, 2026
    dogcatcher, Jul 28, 2026
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  13. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Who was?
     
    Redbeard7, Jul 28, 2026
    Redbeard7, Jul 28, 2026
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  14. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He doesn't need much power to outbox or break someone down. This version of AJ? I'm not optimistic he makes the distance.
     
    Kiwi Casual, Jul 28, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, Jul 28, 2026
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  15. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Maybe, but he certainly has a paper chin now. That uppercut was a nothing punch.

    One underrated factor was his 15 months of inactivity post-Dubois. As a low IQ fighter, Joshua needs to stay in the gym to retain what skills he has. A long layoff degrades skill, and he doesn't have the lifelong boxing training and fighting instincts of a Tyson Fury to soften the blow of inactivity. Concussions can also degrade skill, brain won't work as quickly.
     
    Redbeard7, Jul 28, 2026
    Redbeard7, Jul 28, 2026
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