Do you think the "real" Joshua showed up vs. Dubois?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Slyk, Jan 15, 2025.


Did the "real" Joshua show up against Dubois?

  1. Yes, that was the "real" AJ

    51 vote(s)
    75.0%

  2. No, that was not the "real" AJ

    17 vote(s)
    25.0%
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  1. Slyk

    Slyk Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I've recently seen some interesting opinions on ESB about this fight. Some folks are under the impression that the Joshua who was stopped by Dubois was somehow significantly diminished in both skills and physical ability to the "real" Joshua.

    This is very curious because many were saying Joshua was on the best run in the HW division after his four fight win streak. He is known to be a gym rat, has had few wars, and always comes to fights in great shape. He was 34 for the Dubois fight, typically the absolute peak for most modern HW's. I guess I'm wondering, when did this steep physical decline occur?

    Regarding skills, folks were claiming that the Otto Wallin performance 10 months prior was Joshua's most complete, and that the Ben Davison pairing was paying dividends. The Ngannou KO was said to be more evidence of a polished, renewed fighter. When did the steep decline in skill occur?

    Is it possible, and I expect to lose some folks here, but is it possible that styles make fights, and that the skills that worked so well on older or lesser fighters don't work against a prime top 5 opponent? I recall very clearly that after the Andy Ruiz Jr. loss folks held the same opinion. They were sure that the "real" Joshua didn't show up. Similarly, after the Usyk loss, folks were sure that "the old aggressive Joshua" would have been victorious.

    What do you think?
     
    Slyk, Jan 15, 2025
    Slyk, Jan 15, 2025
    #1
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  2. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    I think AJ physically was still as good as ever, but there's no way he still has the hunger he had coming up.
     
    lufcrazy, Jan 15, 2025
    lufcrazy, Jan 15, 2025
    #2
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  3. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

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    I genuinely think the only fight he can get that kind of motivation for is Fury

    Similar to Holyfield when he took on Mike Tyson
     
    Wizbit1013, Jan 15, 2025
    Wizbit1013, Jan 15, 2025
    #3
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  4. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Potentially Wilder as well.
     
    lufcrazy, Jan 15, 2025
    lufcrazy, Jan 15, 2025
    #4
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  5. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

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    He choked on the ring walk.

    then all it took was Dubious to land a few jabs and boom classic AJ

    A big stiff idiot useless bodybuilding BUM. Always has been.
     
    miniq, Jan 15, 2025
    miniq, Jan 15, 2025
    #5
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  6. The Real Lance

    The Real Lance Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    And Fury would rather retire then fight him for an easy 20-30 mill :lol:
     
    The Real Lance, Jan 15, 2025
    The Real Lance, Jan 15, 2025
    #6
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  7. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

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    Fury is easily the 2nd best British HW of all time next to Lennox Lewis. AJ is barely Bruno level.
     
    miniq, Jan 15, 2025
    miniq, Jan 15, 2025
    #7
  8. The Real Lance

    The Real Lance Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You can say that all day, no one cares. And unfortunately, looks like the bodybuilder scared Fury into retirement. Not a good look.
     
    The Real Lance, Jan 15, 2025
    The Real Lance, Jan 15, 2025
    #8
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  9. Overhand94

    Overhand94 Active Member Full Member

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    I felt that he was clearly not his normal self, he looked haggard even during the ring walk (and stumbled).
    He showed no skills movement, sure Dubois' pressure was a factor but I don't think it explains everything.
     
    Overhand94, Jan 15, 2025
    Overhand94, Jan 15, 2025
    #9
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  10. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Inconsistency is a real trait. Mentally falling apart is a real trait.

    Consistent elite performance against various styles and attributes is a mark of greatness.
     
    Rollin, Jan 15, 2025
    Rollin, Jan 15, 2025
    #10
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  11. Mickc

    Mickc Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yes it was the real Joshua that turned up,Joshua was going in with Dubois who already had history with him due to the well known sparring story and who is a legit puncher and was also coming off two impressive wins whilst Joshua had been on a run of rebuilding fights after the two Usyk losses. Dubois came out for the ring walk oozing confidence and loving the moment,on the other had Joshua had that same Ruiz 1 look about him as if he would rather have been somewhere else.
     
    Mickc, Jan 15, 2025
    Mickc, Jan 15, 2025
    #11
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  12. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lmfao
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Jan 15, 2025
    MarkusFlorez99, Jan 15, 2025
    #12
    AdamT likes this.
  13. Boxing_Fan101

    Boxing_Fan101 Undisputed Available bookgoodies.com/a/1068623705 Full Member

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    AJ was 34 and on a four fight winning streak according to many showing the best form of his life

    Harsh reality is AJ can’t deal with such a hard hitting pressure fighter and when he gets hit has poor powers of recovery

    Dubois wrecks any version of AJ
     
    Boxing_Fan101, Jan 15, 2025
    Boxing_Fan101, Jan 15, 2025
    #13
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  14. Hazaroth

    Hazaroth New Member banned Full Member

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    As much as people enjoy shitting on AJ, it wasn’t. Ruiz killed the “real” AJ
     
    Hazaroth, Jan 15, 2025
    Hazaroth, Jan 15, 2025
    #14
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  15. Philosopher

    Philosopher Active Member Full Member

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    For me, Bruno would have wrecked AJ. The only time I ever saw Bruno look mentally weak was Tyson 2, and Lord knows that demons the poor man had in his head by that point. AJ v Bruno looks very like AJ v Dubois for me. Bad day at the office written all over it!!
     
    Philosopher, Jan 15, 2025
    Philosopher, Jan 15, 2025
    #15
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