If AJ fights like he did against another Ukrainian in Wladimir Klitschko, very aggressive, looking for the KO, can he beat Usyk? Usyk doesn't have much power like Wlad, so AJ won't need to worry about it
He fought aggressive for the first half of round five and almost got stopped for his trouble. He needed a full five and half more rounds off to catch his breath and get a second wind. This AJ from the Wlad fight is a myth.
Even if Joshua starts more aggressively, Usyk will not be worried, Usyk is not as strong as Wladimir, but he is a faster and more skilled fighter than Wladimir...
If AJ comes barreling forward, he will get countered hard and will have plenty to worry about. Usyk hits hard enough.
He fought more aggressively vs Wlad early. It wasn't just an aggressive round 5, AJ was miles ahead after 5 rounds. He was gassed largely because of all his early dominance, he was young and inexperienced. If AJ can take a straight right from Wlad and hang on and get his 2nd wind, he may be able to do that vs Usyk. I suppose it depends on just how good Usyk's chin is, we'll see.
It's not that AJ anymore (from the fight with Wlad). Anthony Joshua's "spring" ended when he knocked out Povetkin; when only Joseph Parker finished the fight on his feet and everyone else was knocked out. Only a knockout win can restore AJ's confidence, because I don't see how AJ would beat Usyk on points. How likely is such a scenario? And if AJ manages to do that, he will be deservedly forgiven for all his past criticisms.
He did. But it was against an older, relatively static target. And even then it was sharp counters and leads based off of boxing, not this aggressive pressure fighter that everyone is calling for. He was still relatively restrained until round 5. Ultimately it wasn't sustainable and his win owed as much to the age and generosity of his opponent than it did to his own efforts. I think people remember the flashpoints of the fight and disregard everything else and think to themselves 'bring that monster back!' Well that monster only existed for a couple of rounds and it came at great cost. His attitude and mindset from that fight is what's required if he's to have any hope of success regardless of what tactics he adopts this time. But this notion he was this unstoppable force doesn't really tally up with what happened.
Fighting like Vlad requires having the best footwork of any SHW ever. It's not for everyone, and it is certainly not for a stiff robotic fighter. People think Vladdo dominated with jabs, grabs, and some power punching. It was all his feet.
Does anyone remember how Anthony Joshua defied and backed up Dillian Whyte? Does this (2022) AJ look like that Anthony Joshua to you?
No because he can't fight like Wlad. His jab isn't strong enough, neither is his clinch game or distance control. He got away with it in Ruiz 2 cause Andy was in dire shape but even then still had success when AJ opened up. AJ is going to have to get on the front foot and land combinations but I dont think he has the gas tank to sustain it.
He just needs to box like Johnny Nelson given that he's only an average southpaw that Johnny would beat........ apparently
