AJ is going to beat Usyk

Before the fight he said it was Kronk style KO as the objective.

After it's 'I wanted to show everyone I can box'.

Which is it?

A narrative has emerged that he tried to box the boxer (rather than maybe he had no choice? Real lack of credit given to Usyk here) and he is regurgitating it because he needs an excuse to hang his hat on so that he can try and rebuild his confidence for the rematch. It's basically a more sane version of Wilder and his mental conspiracies. When you get outclassed and have to fight them again you have to tell yourself something - anything - to get you back on the horse and prepare for battle. The fact he says he's listening to motivational speeches tells you where his head is. That sounds a little desperate.

The reality is AJ put his best foot forward and got out thought, fought and outclassed.

That's not to say if he gets more aggressive and forceful in his approach he can't win a rematch. He's a big, strong heavy handed lad fighting a skinny cruiserweight so anything can happen. But he was unable or unwilling to do that first time round and there has to be a good reason for it.

 

He did do his best as regards boxing Usyk.
And it was a good effort too.

Wrong tactics on the night. Usyk will always out box AJ as long as Usyk is fit to fight.

 

I think it's either a Matchroom special or he's going to have to take him out if he doesn't get clipped himself.
It's mostly what I meant in terms of Joshua using his physicality against Usyk. A weakness he's always had is not clinching. It's a skill a lot of the bigger Heavies have used to tie up and use there weight to tire the opposition and to nullify offense.
I've said before that Joshua has been reticent in the last few years making him gun shy and less pgysically imposing.
He needs to be like he was against Whyte he's more skilled since then. It's risky with someone as technical as Usyk as his foot placement and positioning ensure he's very accurate with his punch placement. The problem in the first fight is that Joshua didn't impose himself early to get Usyk's respect conceeding the first 5-6 rounds. So we'll see mate I think it will be a good fight and like you would like to see some fireworks.

 

And I am AJ fan, and will always give him credit as having been the best of an era. But my point is, he can change his tactics all he wants...he hit Usyk with lots of good flush punches already, as Usyk's face attests to. I don't see him changing anything that is going to make a difference.

 

Or as my granny would say "Tighter than a nun's fanny"

 

PMSL.

It's been a while since I've heard that one mate.
Are you even allowed to say Nun these days???

 

I would hope so pal..I've not received an email telling me otherwise.
Although it's difficult keeping up with all the nonsense these days...
Although if I get banned tommorow you'll know why.....

 

I love the whole line of thought that "he just needs to go forwards" which has come about with the Kronk style. With the Kronk style you need to move forwards with a purpose, Fury's purpose was to force Wilder to fight off the back foot as much as possible as he's shown no aptitude for that.

In the first fight AJ did appear to be trying to move forward, but with a circling target he just ended up meandering around the centre of the ring. Usyk isn't going to back up in straight lines with his chin in the air, so if AJ is going to get rough and ready to finish the fight via KO he'll have to withstand plenty of quality offence and counters by Usyk like Chisora had to.

 

I don't see any of this happening at all. Fans (and, evidently, active fighters) mentioning Fury at the drop of a hat just demonstrates how he's got everyone under his gypsy spell

AJ is too tall, doesn't have the variety of shots and doesn't have the heart to really take it to Usyk like Chisora did. When was the last time AJ fought as aggressively as you're suggesting? Against Klitschko? Against Whyte? Somewhere in the middle? A lot of people I saw counted AJ out in the Ruiz rematch -- myself included -- claiming he couldn't box for 12 rounds and avoid Ruiz's pressure. There wasn't enough time between June and December for him to develop his jab. Well... he had already beaten Parker over 12 rounds by jabbing and pacing himself. For the Usyk rematch though, I don't believe AJ can summon any previous performance to bail him out this time. Usyk is a terrifying foe. His camps are always excellent. He has one of the strongest minds in the sport today. He probably possesses another gear that he didn't show in September. Also, he doesn't seem to possess the same arrogance that Lomachenko, does, either

Do I think AJ could beat Usyk in a rematch 18 months from now, where he is comfortable with his new trainer, and after 2-3 fights against opposition like Ortiz, Martin and maybe even Hunter? In which Usyk himself is older? Definitely. But not 7 months on from his September schooling. There's just not enough time in my opinion. AJ ought to study fights like Usyk vs. Bellew and Lomachenko vs. Lopez, and maybe even a classic like Naz vs. Barrera; learn to tighten up his angles, let Usyk throw first, lure him into the pocket etc. Don't forget Eddie will be pulling out all the stops to secure the close rounds for AJ too. It's doable, but not in this timeframe, in my opinion. Matchroom have built AJ up prematurely and now they're going to destroy him prematurely. Eddie can still make bank on domestic dust-ups like Fury vs. AJ and AJ vs. Whyte, but I don't see him sticking around like Delboy has

Of course, if AJ does beat Usyk -- and without a robbery -- then he ought to get the respect he deserves from the hardcore fans

 

He can. He just needs to be strategic in his approach. Pick 15 to 30 seconds of the round to try and really hurt Usyk. But, to go all out for 2+ minutes from the start, he will be gassed by the 5th.

 

Good post.

I think AJ comes across to me as tho he doesn't really know himself at times.

I see no confident and knowing maturity that he should have considering he's where he's at in his career now. He speaks like he's just coming through the ranks at times.

In the first Ruiz fight I can remember him asking McCracken things like 'what shall I do now' and 'what shot did he hit me with'
How niaeve is that?

AJ's now changed his camp and seeking help and advice from people like FMJ etc

He can speak to every great boxer that's still alive for advice and knowledge for tidbits.

He can try and glean every bit of info going.
Thing is tho this is not 'boxing by numbers' as in painting by numbers. It's the fight game. It should be natural instinct.

At the end of the day at this stage of his career he should know and be confident in himself, his trade and his ability and the right and best way he should fight.

I know For a fact Usyk is.

 

Being muscle bound he has no stamina. He will have to try and take out Usyk before the fifth. The longer the fight goes the more it favors Usyk. I just hope Usyk doesn't get robbed. This fight should not be in England.

 

AJ just needs to win a few more rounds, avoid getting KD'd or stopped. Enough to get a controversial SD or MD robbery and he can run off with the belts. Sky/Matchroom propaganda machine overruns the naysayers and the brand is salvaged enough to make the Fury fight.

So I think he's got a great chance if Usyk uses the same approach.

 

What if AJ goes into fight with a plan to knock out or be knocked out ?

 

There's a big chasm of probabilities between AJ 'could' beat Usyk (which I'd agree with) to AJ 'will' beat Usyk which I do not.

At this point there's no reason for AJ not to roll the dice and come out aggressive, but if he commits too much all it might mean is that his punches are more telegraphed than before and Usyk is going to counter the daylights out of him. He needs to be smart about it.