AJ says Usyk loss hurt way more than Ruiz. "Against Usyk I was 100% and he was just the better man"

Very refreshing to see a fighter give a fighter their due for being the better man. I wish more fighters would do that.

 

Usyk is just a better fighter, at least AJ isn't delusional

 

Yes, but by mentioning Ruiz, he's kind of making an excuse for that one, isn't he.

 

Depends. The Ruiz fight he got caught going in for the finish and that change the entire dynamic of the fight. Usyk was just better.

 

Not really saying you underestimated and overlooked a guy isn't an excuse IMO. Some fighters overlook or underestimate opponents all the time some win and some lose, it happens.

 

Everyone knew there was something off with AJ when he fought Ruiz.. The only ones who don't are those in denial. We saw it with the delayed ringwalk, and his appearance in the ring chewing the mouth guard. Panic attack or not, it was an off night for AJ.

He actually boxed the best I've seen him box vs Usyk but it clearly wasn't enough. I gave AJ 4 rounds but if you are very generous you could give him 5. It's not out of the realm that AJ beats Usyk in the rematch. But I imagine Usyk will probably make adjustments and TKO him late. Usyk is getting older and I suspect Hearn will do everything to protect his cash cow, so I wouldn't be surprised if there AJ somehow wins

Hopefully the rematch is a classic

 

Interesting. I think the thing many people are missing from the fight with Pudding was that there was rumours at the time that Joshua had a few issues going into that first fight with Andy.
It was mentioned that there would be a press release and I think Joshua to his credit did not want to give details as it would be seen as an excuse and would take away from Andy's win.
It has nothing to do with him being clipped in that first fight as that happened anyway but there is more to it than I thing the public is aware of.
I'm also glad he has not done a Wilder and gone down the delusion route regarding his loss to Usyk.
Usyk was the better man on the night and clearly both men can do better.
I think Joshua has given himself a better chance.
We only ever improve if we can accept the things we've done wrong or can do better.
For me it makes the rematch a lot more competitive now and I look forward to it.

 

He is but it was obvious to anyone who watched the build up to that fight he wasn't 100% focused.

At the time after the loss he said the right things said he was prepared and Ruiz was the better man but everyone knew that what BS, he came of fake to me for the first time then. He either was trying to deny to himself he'd messed up bad by taking Ruiz lightly or lying to everyone so he didn't look like he was making excuses.

 

Good honest response for him. It's not an excuse saying he overlooked Ruiz, because he dominated him in the rematch. I have my doubts he can beat Usyk, but he should get more respect than he does for taking the fight again and making adjustments.

 

Nothing AJ says in the media isn't scripted or handled, people should realise that by now. He's absolutely manufactured, to the level of a boy band.
Excuses sound bad to the 'sporting, fair play' culture of the English market. It serves his brand to pretend to be humble.
He would have excuses, though. Probably his coach and tactics most of all. And that's why he thinks he's winning the rematch.

 

That's a great way to sell a rematch. "I was 100 percent last time and couldn't beat him."

Then why are people supposed to buy the rematch?

Why are we as fans required to wait for Joshua - who says he was 100 percent and still couldn't win against a middle-aged cruiserweight - to fight Usyk again before we see Usyk-Fury ... if Joshua says even at 100 percent he couldn't win?

I don't find this refreshing at all.He's the WEAKEST MINDED heavyweight champion I can remember. Honestly.

He's one crying fit away from supplanting Oliver McCall.

It's not delusional to believe you can win. You're SUPPOSED to believe you can win.

If you don't, you tend to do stuff like, I don't know, spit out your moutpiece and QUIT.

If you don't think you can win, don't WASTE OUR TIME or yours.