Why does joshua taunt/play to the crowd when he's getting throttled?

Did that against Wlad and won, i think he is just hurt and unfucussed, tries to unsettle opponent.

 

To convince them (and himself) that its not affecting him and he is in control. He isnt the first boxer and usually the opposite is true.

 

Just pretending to be unfazed

He doesn't actually seem that fazed or panicked. Problem is his nervous system never resets. Fury can reset his nervous system in 15-30 seconds and early in his career could take s lot of punishemnt after getting up. AJ never regains himself, against Wlad was the only time really. His head was still there enough to dodge all of wlads pathetic telegraphed left hooks whilst sat hurt on the ropes.

 

overcompensating strength and control after showcasing weakness.

 

When fighters do that it’s the ultimate admission that they are getting badly beaten / outclassed. Hopkins stuck out his tongue vs Kovalev as he realised he wasn’t in the fight at all, Adeleye did it to Wardley when he was dropped and AJ was no different with his antics

 

His coping mechanism to camouflage his mental weakness and inability to come to terms with reality that he is **** and not a warrior