Joshua Got Busted Up......

Fury got a long count. We all know Deontay clapped those cheeks.

 

I always used to favour AJ over Wilder but now I'm having my doubts. AJ is shot mentally. Usyk took the best, most prepared AJ ever and whooped him. Joshua has not recovered since. Wilder is far more stodgy in an intelligence sense than AJ but here it's actually a strength. For sure he has convinced himself again that Tahson Fuhry is a no-good cheater and that if he'd have a 4th crack at him he'd put him away no questions asked. Wilder is that dumb friend who will put his hand on the stove for a dare and then do it again a week later.

AJ is the better boxer between the two and ought to land first. But the way he is mentally Wilder will just go for it while AJ is still debating whether to jab or not. If Wilder lands the big thunder first AJ is gonna have a problem.

 

Wilder can't fight backing up as he can't set his feet.

However if you give him a 3-5 second window to stand still, by default, he is going to throw that right hand.

Circle away to Wilder's left (your right)

Maintain distance

Back Wilder up with a jab (show variety with the jab)

Rough him up and really maul him with the 30lb weight advantage Joshua has.

Keep framing Wilder and hit him with combos as he is trying to reset his feet. Get out.

 

Both are on the same level now. Wilder probably has a better chin...

 

Helenius and Fury tried to rush him and they found themselves on their asses. Wilder can't box. AJ's best best case would be to outbox DW over 12. IMO of course.

 

The only way AJ wins is if he drills like a Karateka how to counter the many obvious Wilder openings and have the solid conviction to execute it, in other words, formulate a game plan, study and work on Wilder's flaws and if an opportunity presents itself just once, close the show.

Any hesitancy or doubt and Wilder will spark him out, and that's why Wilder will spark him out.

 

One thing people are overlooking is none of us know what shape physically or mentally a post-Fury Wilder looks like. Not to mention that by the time the fight takes place he will have been out of the ring for at least 27 months. I don't count his bout with Helenius. That's a lot of inactivity for an old fighter coming off brutal defeats.

 

He need to start out the way he fought in the last 2-3 rds against Helenius, but I doubt he will.

The jab, especially to the body, was the one thing apart from the KO that really looked good. Those body jabs were really troubling Helenius and should be a problem for wilder too.

AJ definitely has the tools for this job, but a big question mark on mindset.

Wilder's mindset is 100% confidence in that right hand as the problem solver. No matter how far behind or busted up he is, he retains that confidence and that makes him always dangerous.

 

You're right.

Question is, can Joshua maintain that focus?!

I did see alot of improvements last night and patience was a key part of it. His timing still is not 100% nor maintaining distance but it was a very good performance and he went through a few gears too.

Is it enough to beat Wilder though?

 

If he can drag it into the dog days of round 8 - 12 he has a high probability of winning. Early doors, money is on Wilder.

I sense a bit of cat/mouse on both ends here strategy wise. It could be quite boring really.

 

High anticipated fights usually tend to be anticlimactic.

 

Wilder has a delusional level of self confidence and that will be the difference as AJ seems a shell of his former self.

 

There are a handful that lived up to the expectations, pretty much it.