Joshua Wincing in the corner after Round 12 vs Usyk

I can't say I've ever seen anything quite like this.

I remember seeing Vitali cling to Vlad for stability because he was so exhausted after he defeated Chisora.

The faces Joshua was pulling were quite distressing. He was EXPRESSING complete agony for a few minutes, something you hardly ever see a boxer do save from a well placed body shot. I understand he was effectively TKO'd in that last round, but something about the way his head was rolling around after the fight was strange. It's almost like he decided it's okay to "break character" because he's exhausted and the fight is done.

Getting outboxed is one thing, but the body language here and when he quit against Ruiz is troubling indeed. If you genuinely in your heart believe you are the baddest man on the planet, you don't wince like that. Something tells me Joshua no longer believes.

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"Why do I feel like this"

Exhausted and busted up eye

Meanwhile Tyson Fury DONT GET TIRED. "I'D FIGHT WITH NO EYES" Heart of a lion. Balls the size of King Kong.

If you hurt Fury it only makes him stronger.

 

Can't imagine Fury with his head rolling around in the corner, blinking really hard after a fight. It's a matter of conditioning and perhaps heart.

 

He took a drubbing over 12 rds and was effectively tko'd. He was in pain and exhausted no doubt.

 

I don't think AJ ever wants to be in the ring with Usyk again. I expect something to happen prior to that rematch. AJ's camp will find a way out.

This wasn't like the Ruiz loss. It was a complete demoralization.

 

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In fairness, anyone who's seen footage of Ali immediately after Futch pulled Frazier out of the Thriller might take issue with this statement;

But still, Ali's fighting heart was proven to such extremes as to take it for granted that he was coming out for the 15th (notwithstanding any speculation to the contrary). Joshua, much less so.

 

There's no mystery here. Usyk had just put a savage beating on him and almost had him out.

Andy Ruiz snatched his soul, but Femi's roided body still has nerves and pain receptors.

 

Joshua is done folks.

 

I hope it is so because Joshua is relatively young. He could take some time off and come back when Usyk and Fury are retired.

But do you really think Eddie is going to let him walk away?

 

No. He is Eddies cash cow. He'll ride him until he is totally spent.

 

I could see him fighting top 10 guys who they know know he can steamroll for a little while. Milk that a bit longer, gain some confidence and work some new tools in to his game with a new trainer, then go the Fury/Usyk path.

But no I don't think Eddie would let him walk away altogether

 

You’re reading too much into it. He’s just come off a one sided beating - so what if he winces, it’ll happen.

 

No it was not all.

 

Joshua is a delicate flower. I think we should cut him some slack.

 

I really hope Joshua comes back and steamrolls Usyk and smashes Fury too. Not because I’m a huge fan but because I find it weird how much hate he gets. I’m not saying I haven’t been guilty of this too, which I’m not even sure why but it’s astonishing how quickly people forget how entertaining Joshua has been and whether we admit it or not we all follow the sport to be entertained