It's telling that the few Fury fans still simping for him need to bring up the Klitschko fight from nearly a decade ago, and the Ruiz loss from 2019 to pull down Joshua, because there really isn't much separating them in recent fights, and their performances against common opponents are either arguably even for both men or far more flattering to Joshua. And yes, I'll continue to bring up Ngannou here because Fury was dumb and greedy enough to fight him, and arrogant enough to think he could just waltz in and have a cakewalk. So that performance comparison is totally warranted. As for their performances against Usyk, Joshua didn't have the stretches of success that Fury did (albeit against a two years older version) but he also wasn't nearly KTFO by him either. And both men officially have SD losses to him, so on the scorecards it's practically even. But all this nonsense can be very easily answered by having them fight each other. And throw Parker in the mix too, as he's more than earned a shot against either man.
Look at the 12th. aj was done and Usyk wasn't near as aggressive. People asked why Usyk didn't KO him and he said he just wasn't bloodthirsty and wanted aj to be healthy
Probably because when you've had a run as proven champ like AJ has it doesn't take as much to "right the ship" so to speak than guys who've not done it. The next guy behind him? He's already beaten Parker wider than Usyk beat him on the cards. And we've gotta have some consistency as fans be honest with yourself. If he's not in the mix still, Usyk's win over him doesn't have much value. Yet, I see Usyk is p4p #1, or even goat amongst other ridiculous things being thrown around. Fury just got his ass handed to him by a 0-0 novice before this fight, Aj annihilated that same guy. Too many emotional takes in boxing these days....
I see this is an older post Rankings can be very odd and often down to what people like or who they are fans of. I did a thread recently asking what people's criteria was and nobody really wanted to commit to answering No doubt Usyk is at the top After Usyk I think you could make lots of different arguments but as of the moment can't see how someone wouldn't have Dubois 2nd behind Usyk at the moment. Edit I do think at the time of the thread start There was a good argument for having Joshua 2nd only to Usyk and think there was a good argument between who should be above between Fury and Joshua
Usyk had AJ absolutely spent in the 12th of their first fight. I'm not sure why the coup de grace was no administered as I recall AJ sprawled on the ropes with that silly grin he likes to wear when he's shipping punishment
I have Usyk at 1 and Dubois at 2 ATM But yes I think there was a solid argument for Joshua at 2 at that time. I think it was very debatable between him and Fury but wouldn't have either at 2 now. Yes Joshua had lost to Usyk but had long standing high ratings from past wins and 4 filler wins in a year. Fury had lost to Usyk and only had 2 filler fights and that had been over around 2 years but also had long standing high ratings from past wins