I see Joshua getting some negative recation on this forum, but I think undersvedly so. I'll explain my opinion: 1. Joshua is an excellent, well-rounded boxer with very good power, skills, combination punching etc. But one thing that is underrated about him is his willingness and ability to learn. He really improved a lot from Ruiz 1 to Ruiz 2 fight, the same was obvious against Usyk. And this thing has made him top amauter and pro despite very late start in boxing 2. People undeservedly criticize him for his action after the fight. He hasn't said anything bad actually. All he said was that Usyk isn't strong puncher and he (Joshua) was perfectly ready physically and mentally, but Usyk still BEAT him. He meant to say how great Usyk is and it can't be interpreted any other way. Yes, he has stolen some attention from the Champ with that speach, but a lot of fighters have big egos which comes out when their blood is boiling I find it ridiculous when people give tons of credit to absolutely unproven guys like Makhmudov while trying to discredit fighters who achieved millions times more and have proven themselves millions times more. And that applies to Deontay Wilder as well. Yes, he lacks skills, but he has shown incredible heart and determination throughout his career. Hell, even Tyson Fury often doesn't get the credit he deserves
AJ would have earned respect if: 1. didn't breakdown 2. Went balls to the wall and gassed out in 6 rounds He didn't trade He didn't risk taking one to give one Useless.
Why does someone getting "credit" matter to you. Joshua gets millions of dollars and a gold medal he didn't earn. Is that not enough for his fans? Joshua doesn't get love from fight fans because he's not a fighter deep inside. Joshua is an athlete that could have done well in any sport and chose boxing. His fake guy image with questionable actions like screaming at teenagers or stealing the mic like a melon tends to be frowned upon.
I give Joshua respect for the effort in the fight, but not for his actions after it sorry. Joshua threw a tantrum and took the spotlight of Usyk's well deserved victory we didn't need the cringe speech.
He got plenty credit in the bank from Bin Salman. I didn't see much evidence of the super aggressive "AJ" in the ring, aside from a low blow and some dirty boxing in that 9th round flurry. He hammer fisted Usyk with one shot.
Agreed, he showed a lot tonight, imo. Unfortunately for him, he was fighting Usyk. Don't expect much from AJ haters... most will never give him credit. But he gave Usyk some tough work in there at times and showed some good skills. I wish he would have been a bit more seek and destroy. He made some of the same mistakes that he did in fight 1 that they said they were going to correct. But overall he performed well, imo.
History will not regard Joshua as an all time great fighter, but I think it will come to regard him far more fondly than many of his present day critics would imply because, for all his faults and failings, Joshua did set out to deliver the big fights, he did try to unify the titles in the division, and only an inability to negotiate with Wilder prevented him from delivering the fight to crown an Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. That willingness to seek out difficult opponents and challenges will stand him in good stead in the long run.
Joshua tried his best tonight and had a few moments but once more was not aggressive enough and did fade as he usually does as the fight went on but did hold it together a lot better. Usyk was simply once again the better man on the night. Joshua ruined it for himself when he took the mic .
