How well did AJ use his reach v Ruiz?

For it being his first time applying that style I would say he did pretty good.. He managed his stamina pretty well all thing considered.. Maybe I’m grading on a curve but I also remember Wlad’s first time attempting to implement that style and he still managed to gas vs Brewster.. Instead of maintaining he reverted back to his old ways leading him getting hit to clean and TKOd by round 5.. AJ did have mental lapses but for the most part he stuck to the gameplan..

 

He did pretty darn alright. Not a 'fan' of the guy, but I love his commitment to improvement and trying to make a more versatile fighter of himself in a time of increasing one-dimensionality. Being able to rescale and reinvent himself was more impressive in its way than if he'd laid Ruiz out in 2 or 3. And he showed moxie to conquer those mental demons, too.

 

i dunno - 6 and a half out of 10?

he looked a tad awkward and unthreatening, he doesn't really have the co-ordination or experience to pull that style off as well as say a Lewis or a Fury, but he did well - not exceptionally well, but well.

above all it was precisely the right style to use against a guy who you tower over but whose power on the inside is a worry.

 

Yeah agree joshua doesnt leave himself as open. Was more talking about being similar in that they need to almost have their hands held at times. Seen rob coaching joshua in training camp and its overbearing at times constantly telling him what to do almost every second. It breeds a similar mindset to khans in that they need to rely on a trainer as opposed to learning for themselves and becoming better fighters for it.

Its not ineffective as robs a very good trainer with success behind him. Froch was the same as joshua. Constantly needed rob. Not saying its not effective and cant get success just saying it can end up limiting a fighter. Froch was lucky his chin was granite. Joshua wasn,t so lucky against ruiz and khan wasn,t so lucky many times. At some point to become great fighters you need to learn for yourself. As opposed to relying on a coach. I dont think that method of coaching is the answrr for joshua. Froch got away with it because of his chin. Joshua wont be as lucky imo.