What are Joshua's options/strategy going into the Usyk rematch (assuming this is almost pretty much guaranteed)? Having been comprehensively outboxed by Usyk, does Joshua have to be a lot more aggressive in the rematch and try to let his hands go more/get combinations off, at the risk of gassing out and getting hit more himself? What steps do you think Joshua/his team will take in order to try and win the belts back in a rematch?
The strategy AJ needs to employee is the one strategy that culd be his demise. He needs to be aggressive from the start. Use a powerful jab everytime Usyk comes in. In exchanges, use the 1,2. This might slow Usyk's punch output. But, if AJ can't get Usyk out of there early, he runs the risk of gassing. If that happens, the 8th round will look like the 12th round of their 1st fight.
There are no options strictly speaking: the boxing media have decided that AJ must bulk up and go for it, impose his physicality on the smaller man. The problem is that if AJ doesn't KO Usyk early (and he took 7 to stop a slow as molasses, mediocre Breazeale) he will get stopped himself.
The weird thing about though is that AJ was in really good condition and he didn't gas from punching. He only seemed to gas and slow down late in the fight after taking too much damage, too many big punches from Usyk. AJ should fight Usyk the way he dought Ruiz in the rematch, instead AJ stayed too close to Usyk, Usyk isn't a guy who you want to stand in front of for too long and AJ made that mistake, and it got him in trouble late. I agree that AJ needs to pump that jab more early on, and with power behind it. AJ was barely putting any mustard on his punches in the first 3 rounds, it wasn't until the middle rounds that he really started loading up. That was a mistake. And when he did you could see he was hurting Usyk. I mean Usyk is tough as nails but you could see the wounds of war on Usyk's face by the end. AJ needs to develop a piston-like jab and stay more on the outside, make Usyk come to him. AJ did well when he stayed in the pocket, but he can't stay there all night like he did last night. He needs also to focus on timing Usyk with the straight right hand. AJ has the ability to control Usyk with the jab and use his reach, height and size to keep Usyk out of punching range.
He was not able even to take out 39 y.o Pulev EARLY and shot short notice opponent in previously finished by Povetkin Takam. So yeah, he might come in with intent to finish Usyk early. Sadly with not enough old opponents this for him looks problematic thing. Another options: to come in light and attempt to finish Usyk late. Damn, he was not able to win even early rounds vs slow starter in uncle Usyk. How good gas tank they had in 11 th and 12 th you had saw.
The only way AJ wins is Use his height and reach to jab, run away and fight off the back foot. Extremely boring but I can’t See AJ scoring much else. Usyk is too smart, has all the skill in his favour and his counter punching is enough to keep AJ honest
The Bodybuilder Is done for. USyK is a chameleon, hes a perfectionist. He changes strategy according to the circumstances. AJ cant compete with such a boxing monster. The only chance he has is to get to weigh like Butterbean and hope to drop Usyk in the first 4 or 5 rounds.
I was just responding to the question, what can AJ do in the rematch. In my opinion, he loses the rematch too. Usyk is far to skilled, working on a higher level across the board. The only thing AJ has is size and power, which Usyk nullified within the first round.
I don't think AJ has the footwork to dictate space. Usyk will decide when to exchange, just like he did in the first fight. That's That's why I think AJ needs to pump a hard jab when Usyk is coming in and try catch him with the right going out. Personally, I don't think AJ can do that to a high degree of success. AJ loses the rematch.
The cliche' says he needs to fight the boxer. He can't win a boxing match against the better boxer. Needs to make it a dog fight. Keep Usyk on the end of a real jab, not that **** he was throwing on the night and punch when Usyk punches. He had some success to the body, should have been more of that earlier and throw some damned combinations. Prior to the fight I thought Joshuas combination punching was going to be a factor. The more I analyze Joshua's performance the worse it seems to me. The commentators were being very generous to Joshua imo, I don't think he won any of the first 5 or 6 rounds. I think he's in need of some major changes if he even stands a chance to not get ko'd in the rematch. I think he needs to change his corner, change his strategy and most difficult of all, he needs to change his mentality and I don't believe he can do it. He's lost faith in his chin, he knows his stamina is suspect. I'm not trying to pile on but I really feel like Aj's time has come and gone. Bring on Joyce / Usyk!
