AJ Sparring

Not going all conspiracy theory here, but if Joey did give him a concussion in sparring that would explain not having much sparring as they would have needed to cut out sparring after that — at least until he passed whatever protocols to show he was OK ... and even then may not have wanted to risk it.

 

Sounds to me that he expects sparring partners to be so blessed and humbled that they get to spar with him, they shouldn't get paid #stayhumble

 

Illusions of grandeur

 

Surely team Yarde have proved that sparring doesn’t work and it’s not needed by now?

 

He don’t bring up the he gets to use the Olympic training facilities on the tax payers dime though does he?

tight *******.

 

What on earth is this nonsense, talking hundreds of pounds? Someone needs to take AJ out of this social media thing. He is a disaster.

 

Is he still concussed? Either AJ is up there with Laurence Olivier for acting, or he is deluded, or otherwise ill, misguided or troubled.

 

I've said it before but he is such a strange individual.

 

Feels like a man who is shackled. His story could yet be the most interesting, if it ever comes out honestly.

 

He certainly has demons. He just comes across like he is a sandwich short of a picnic. There is something not quite right.

 

I heard that AJ’s past sparring had just been ‘technical’ and ‘drill’ based. This camp has seen his hired hands really trying to put it on him. We’ll know next weekend if it’s set him in a better mindset

 

I think he might suffer with anxiety. There were rumours of panic attacks in the dressing room before his big American debut. Then he looked distant for the rest of the night. He looked uncomfortable in the gloves are off with Ruiz at times too. It would explain his TUE's as well if he's on medication for it.

I'm assuming a lot of things here of course but I wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps he is struggling with all the pressure on his shoulders. For all his money, he does have the weight of the world on his shoulders going into this fight.

 

yeah I think the pressure has likely been something AJ has struggled with as well. He is the poster boy, he cant lose or everything changes, his whole image as top dog, especially in the UK. Reminds me a bit of Mike Tyson, he simply couldnt lose or his whole image changed, although he came back pretty well after the Buster loss he was done mentally after Holyfield beat him, the pressure to win that rematch was clearly too much, he just couldnt face losing. I see a similar thing with AJ, I just cant imagine his response to getting beaten by Ruiz again, as said in the thread already, it wouldn't be a surprise if he quit or found a way out.

AJ seems to see himself as a strong character, he talks a lot about self affirmation and reminding himsef he deserves to be where he is, but it sounds more programmed, like it isnt there naturally. Seems a bit fragile to me, like all it would take is a punch in the face to derails his postive thinking. Could be wrong, maybe he will rise to the occasion and is much stronger mentally than given credit for but at this point I think he is in trouble, when the first bell rings I really wonder how he will react.