I've just re-watched AJ vs Usyk - Paying close attention, you may think a bit differently....

Usyk won clearly and unequivocally, that at end of day is all that matters, the scorecards are open to debate as always, but all gave correct winner.

Usyk knows how to win, knows how to look good even if not winning in a bout.

Skill wise, physically and psychologically Usyk is as complete a package as we presently have in boxing, can he be beaten, most definitely yes, especially as he is now in division where behemoths dwell, one heavy punch from one of these giants can render all of Usyks undoubted skills null and void.

Likewise the behemoths now have a Usyk sized challenge to face.

I think heavyweight boxing has just got more interesting.

 

Hahahaa

 

The bodybuilder lost to a superior boxer. No ifs and buts.....

 

You are a complete coper. AJ's team gave him the best chance of winning by giving him the obvious strategy: winning a corrupt decision in his backyard. AJ was so poor and so outclassed that even Howard Foster couldn't deny Usyk the UD after giving AJ the first two rounds (lmfao). Usyk was still fresh in 11 and 12 while AJ was ragged: Usyk opened up on him to say "I still have another gear and will KO you in the rematch". It was scary stuff from AJ's perspective. The bodybuilder was visibly in pain and horribly gassed on his stool for 3 minutes 30 after the fight. AJ is mentally broken now and Usyk will destroy him early-mid in the rematch if AJ goes looking for him from the opening bell.

 

Joshua did hurt Usyk as even the man himself said that 'AJ took him to Elon Musk a couple of times'. As for the fight it's probably between 8-4 and 9-3 for Usyk as far as I can see, as some rounds were close. Joshua can win the rematch if he fights aggressively in spurts - he has to fight taller, throw combinations when he's in position and tie up Usyk when he's not throwing punches, lean on him and stop him working. In other words make it a bit ugly. He can stop just about anyone if he lands enough hard leather.

 

I've watched it about four times now and the only rounds I can comfortably give Joshua are 6 and 8.

5 I gave him first time but it's close, and when you consider that Usyk was clearly the ring general and superior defensive fighter I have to give it to the Ukrainian.

I don't think there's any need to overcomplicate it, Usyk commanded the ring, showed the better defence, and pushed the aggression throughout the fight, alongside outlanding him. That's called dominating. Even the home audience could see it.

 

Me too. The exact same. People are looking for reasons to give Joshua rounds, that's not how you score fights.

 

No matter what the score was, be it close or wide , it was all for Usyk. Going back and giving him a few more rnds doesn change that he got beat.

 

No ones really saying that. What we,re saying tho is...that shouldnt really be happening against a guy a lot smaller than him. He got outboxed while holding every advantage home crowd with a 4 inch reach advantage. 3 inch height advantage. 40 lbs heavier than usyks optimum weight. And kind of resigned himself to the loss.

Add to that getting absolutely battered from andy ruiz. Came back in the rematch and basically ran away from ruiz half the night. At least lennox went in and spanked the guys that knocked him out.

What we,re saying is his top level career has a limited time span at best. Does he need two goes to beat his opponents now. Even tho one was 34 fighting 20 lbs above his optimum weight and the other was about 50 lbs overweight. Hes got every advantage over them and still managing to get beat. Hes a decent fighter joshua but theres more of saturday night and ruiz first fight to come if there not sensible with him.

 

Usyk-Joshua was an easy fight to score. Have seen it a couple a times since and Usyk won 9 rounds, you could even give him 10, as the Ukrainian did good work in the fifth as well and increased crowd noise shouldn't play a part in influencing scoring, even though it sometimes can with judges and fans.

The only clear rounds for AJ imo were rounds six and eight, as has been pointed out already. Usyk was pretty much in control throughout and outboxed his opponent for a clear, decisive win.

The rematch will be interesting in so far as we shall find out whether Usyk can repeat that dominance, maybe even score a stoppage or can Joshua impose himself more on a mobile, tricky southpaw.

 

You can't give AJ anymore than 3 or 4 rounds.

 

It wasn’t a beat down for sure and to me Usyk just outwork AJ to win the rnds.

 

I just rewatched and had the same score as I had the first time 7-4-1. Rd 9 was the even round for me, but 2, 6 and 10 were also close. Usyk had the most dominant rds, though, especially the last. That might make it look more one-sided than if you score round by round.

Rds 4, 5 and 8 were clearly Joshua's for me, on both viewings, so 9-3 is the best I could give Usyk.

It was the last two rounds where Usyk really pulled away. Joshua just can't compete with Usyk down the stretch, but we all knew that. Joshua must start faster if he's going to have any sort of chance in the rematch. Easier said than done, though.