AJ plans to out-skill Usyk

Respectfully I disagree. Usyk had a much harder time against Chisora because of the constant pressure. Give Usyk a bit of room to move and he performs much better. But we will have to wait and see.

I don't think the reach will be as big of an advantage as everyone makes it out to be. The speed, footwork and southpaw stance is more than enough to neutralize it. AJ has been beaten by a smaller guy in terms of height in way of Andy Ruiz.

 

I understand. Joshua just isn't Chisora, he's certainly better than Chisora don't get it twisted but he isn't as good of a pressure fighter as Chisora and Joshua's gas tank is even worse. Aj has the height and reach and good counter punching abilities, he needs to use it.

Usyk is great, but how will he cope with a 6'6 world class fighter that's keeping a distance ? We saw how he pressured and overwhelmed 6'5 witherspoon after a few rounds of feeling out and boxing with his opponent instead of staying at range against bigger man. Thats very risky against Joshua. If Joshua doesn't press the issue. Usyk eventually will by the mid rounds, he'll take chances, and he'll get timed. Even Witherspoon caught him from time to time, and this aint Witherspoon. At this point when Usyk does get caught with a huge shot i expect him to dial it down which makes it easier for a defensive Joshua.

Joshua beat him in the rematch by precisely staying at range though. Now obviously Usyk is far better than Ruiz but im just saying.

 

suspicion

 

Joshuas's best punch is one that a shorter southpaw is vulnerable to and I think that will be a factor. And AJ has the luxury to vary that right hand - not just the uppercut, but he can throw it wide and down the pipe. Usyk as the smaller man and much lighter puncher (unless he's really increased his power before this fight, but it's unlikely to be that much different) takes a big risk every time he throws the right anything but straight. And even that's a risk.

I don't expect Joshua to gas unless Usyk hurts him.

 

We might have seen a slight preview of this from Milas Yoka. Usyk certainly has more in him in than Milas but he's going to face similar issues getting his punches through and absorbing incoming from the bigger unit. Joshua will be quite happy to win ugly also and lean into him.

 

That wouldn't be out-skilling.

That would be out-sizing.

And that may well be what happens.

But I seriously doubt AJ will win on skills.

I give him a 55 -60 % chance of beating Usyk.


If they were both the same size, AJ would be getting stopped.

 

Joshua can't beat Usyk on Usyk's terms. I can't see it happening.

 

Good luck with that.

 

So you're saying it's completely out of the picture that AJ could KO Usyk? The only outcome you see if AJ tries to KO Usyk is Usyk surviving and Joshua gassing himself out? I'd like to know why you have so much confidence that Usyk's chin will hold up against a skillful barrage of powerful punches on the level of AJ. Maybe it will, but Usyk's chin has not really been tested at this level.

Whenever Joshua tries to KO anyone there's a risk he could gas but he's KO'd most of the people he's fought so far.

 

I think Joshua's best bet to beating Usyk is definitely using his physical superiority.

The only way I see Joshua outpoiting Usyk is via his long jab and/or scoring at least one knockdown.

But this whole idea that Usyk will dance around AJ and completely outbox him is a bit premature. Joshua is not without his own skills.

And remember Usyk is also taking a massive risk by gaining so much weight.

 

Of course not. But why gamble when you know you have a gassing problem? The smart thing to do is to box and then see how it goes.

... I'd like to know how you are so confident that AJ will even be able to LAND said barrage of power punches

 

Most likely A.J will win this one based on strength, size and hometown officiating.
I never will gave any bare piece credit to A.J : all his career had been built in Eddie backyards and when he had stepped on foreign soil and had been tested in US, floor had been mopped with him by Ruiz Jr.

Like here are enough ppl who never during more than decade had gave any bare credit to any one EE boxer, I will do the same:
A.J never will get any credit from me.
Never.

And people can't dream about national pride symbols : pro boxers as symbol of masculitity: they are more limited than stone age tribal cavemans cos are limited by rules.
LOL, cash cow with proper promoter and passport.
Congratulations. Everyone saw how he looks when is tested in US.

 

Why gamble? Well if he's clearly winning on points then there's no need to, but many of us agree Usyk is not Ruiz, he will land punches of his own and quite frequently, as well as evade more often.

Joshua may have to gamble to secure the win, and it's not as if Joshua tries one attack and he's gassed out for the rest of the match. He sometimes just needs a round or so to recover. AJ is a smarter fighter now. He picks his moments to attack, rather than just throwing power punches like he used to.

If Joshua gets a good opportunity to hurt Usyk, he should take it.

You talk about Joshua gassing out after an attack, but if his attack damages his opponent, does that not also require his opponent to need time to recover also?

It's always a gamble to attack but Joshua has gambled and won many times. He's only lost a gamble once and that was to Ruiz when he tried to end it too early and got caught. He almost lost a gamble vs Wlad, but he expended too much energy early on throwing too much, and was considerably heavier and not as wise.

I don't see Usyk is vastly superior to everyone Joshua has fought so far, to the degree that if AJ gets tired he's ****ed.

Usyk still has to prove he can fight at this level at this weight. It's been a while since Usyk fought someone of top quality, and he never fought them at the weight he is now.

 

39 y.o Pulev version who had fought A.J?
Dear, gave this to Dorticos or Gassiev etc and you will see.
I had forget that if 38 y.o Wlad had beat 33 y.o then undefeated Pulev, it didn't looked good cos Wlad is from Ukraine.
When A.J had beat now 39 y.o the same Pulev, everything was good and properly done. Etc and etc like things.

Overall I don't care so much: both of them are not poor and if they prefer to continue entertain us, why not?
It is their choice, they both are able easily to earn with another things for a living: they does have capital and properties, businesses.