Can AJ become a 3 time Champ?

No

 

This whole "X time" champion thing is a bit unusual. Being a 3x champion is not more prestigious than being a 1x champion. It normally just means one has lost...

The 2x thing for Fury is more understandable because he did not lose his status in the ring, and with the story that came with it.

 

Honestly, he might not have won the Ruiz rematch if Ruiz had actually taken it seriously. He was living it up after the first fight and it showed in the rematch.

 

Holyfield's 4x HW champ status is the most overrated accomplishment in sports history. It means that he lost a bunch of times as a Heavyweight. Joe Louis was the champion for 12 straight years. That is more impressive than losing than winning again. Louis could never be a 4x champ because he was so good that he would not lose and regain a title to become a multiple time champ. His reign was so dominant that its 10x impressive than Holyfield's losing then regaining HW title against bums in my eyes.

 

its actually funny to think he could have lost the rematch as well if it wasnt for Ruiz trying to turn into a bowling ball...You gotta admit Aj has had a very lucky run.

 

Last time he was complacent and allowed a morbidly obese B level heavyweight KO him. This time it's different, he wasn't just foolish he was at his best and was out boxed, out thought and out fought.

He has a far better chance than Wilder vs Fury in a rematch with Usyk as he's far more versatile and shown he can learn and adapt even mid fight, but he's not out smarting Usyk, that's when who's training you really matters. Steward made Wlad and Lewis into greats by passing on what he knew to a receptive pupil, unfortunately for AJ while he is a receptive pupil he has no Steward anymore and Sugar Hill is with Fury.

Only way he becomes a 3 way champ is if Usyk retires and the belts get split up and he picks up title off a weaker opponent like Whyte or Wilder in a vacant title shot.

 

Yes he can

 

Sure he can! He's only 30 after all.

The bigger question is

"Can he become 3-weight world champ by beating Usyk in a rematch?"

That is a decidedly trickier proposition, and he could, but I think some things would have to change:-
1) Change trainers - McCracken has probably taken AJ as far as he can, and didn't have a good gameplan for AJ
2) Concentrate on taking away Usyks best attribute - his stamina; bodywork early and impose that weight and size; lean and clinch and rough him up, make him tired.

Even that plan might be beyond AJs capabilities though as he might not last 6 rounds before being spent.

I find it interesting that Joshua mentioned the possibility of fighting Fury/Wilder WITHOUT the belts; which I wonder if it's reality starting to hit and entertaining the possibility that barring a "hail mary" wonder-punch, he simply will never beat Usyk.

 

No, the only chance he has is if politics come into play and someone vacates.

 

Louis is top 3 of all time, Holyfield just about scrapes into top 10.

 

I think Joshua can win the rematch. But I think it's evident he isn't winning on the outside, and at this lighter weight. Not on points anyway. His problems with Ruiz were the polar opposite. Couldn't fight him on the inside, and was too durable to knockout. So he trimmed off the muscle to outbox him. Luckily for Joshua, Ruiz is not a long range boxer, so a points win was achievable. Usyk is the master of outboxing, but in terms of fighting on the inside, I think if Joshua comes in bulkier, and can get on the inside. He might be able to stop him mid rounds. Different fighters, have different strengths and weaknesses.

 

He has not.

Your statement would have been accurate if you hadn't pluralized the last word.

 

Good points, but that is because Ruiz was more heavy handed than Usyk. Don't get me wrong, Usyk can punch and he's very clever as a puncher, but he never came close to really hurting or knocking down AJ. Yes AJ was off balance and stumbled several times but that was due to feet being tangled not due to pure punching power like Ruiz did to him. I agree AJ had more success against Usyk on the inside, in the pocket, than he did vs Ruiz. But part of that is because Usyk is more active as a puncher than Ruiz so there were more opportunities to counter Usyk than vs Andy. The problem is AJ doesn't have the work rate of Usyk so he was outlanded while in punching range. AJ needs to mix it up between staying in the pocket and backing away making Usyk come to him. That's how he could win, because otherwise he will be outlanded since Usyk has faster hands and a higher work rate, so standing in front of him all night he's going to be outlanded.

 

It would change nothing