WBO officially orders Joshua vs Usyk

Wlad was not " hungry " even before his fight vs then 33 y.o Pulev when he was 38 y.o businessman - investor.
vs A.J he had been " reanimated " when he was 41 y.o.
A.J also had over the hill Povetkin in the ring as " wow A.J is cool " fight.

I don't think that A.J was capable to beat prime Povetkin version, his resume is with " geriatric " opponents for marquee fights.

Usyk for sure also does not box like Wlad or Loma.
Wlad even was damn far in style from other EE boxers after he had added training from western coach.

 

That's great that they ordered it. We'll see if it comes off.

Usyk was sporting a "dad bod" last week in his weigh-in video showing he was 230.

And, in his last two training camps, he suffered injuries that caused delays. He tore a bicep training for Chazz Witherspoon that pushed that fight back. He injured his elbow training for Dereck Chisora which pushed that fight back months.

If Usyk "hurts himself" again in training for this, I don't know if they'll let him push this challenge back until November or December.

I think Joshua and Hearn want to get this defense in the rear view mirror sooner rather than later. So they'll push for the WBO to quickly name another mandatory if Usyk pulls up lame again.

Still wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being Joshua-Joyce. Or Joshua-Parker II.

But glad they're all getting active again.

 

Difficult when you're a classic boxer southpaw facing a significantly taller opponent with a very dangerous right hand. He's really riding the tiger every time he wants to come into range to score since it's going to be a straight lane for AJ:s right down the pipe. The right uppercut is also going to be very dangerous.

I have Joshua as a pretty firm favourite here.

 

This fight could be a new version of Foreman v Ali or Leonard v Hagler. Many begin to smell another UPSET.

 

To be fair most people are using a lot of attributes after 30+. Now modern fighters tend to be at their prime for longer, due to better nutrition and the magic pills. But still most are starting to decline little by little after hitting 32-33.
He got some injuries by trying to get to weight for the HW, that probably set him back.
Loma is year earlier, but i think his peak is over, and the tons of matches in the amateur and his recent injuries helped that.
But Usyk is 100% on the decline for some time.

 

Joshua should be a firm favorite.

The wild card is Joshua is a sucker for a hard left to the temple. The left to the temple is what got him in trouble against Whyte and Wlad and Ruiz.

And, being a southpaw, Usyk's power shot is the left. So Usyk has that going for him.

 

Feels like one of those Man United signings that is done but then it isn't really done. One of those believe it when I see it situations.

I do hope we do see it, of course.

 

bodybuilder does have very dangerous__________________BOTH hands.right and left hand.

 

Does Usyk still have a "dad bod?" Did he ever, or was it your imagination?

 

These mongs still going on about body type? .. they never learn

 

Aged like milk…

 

Interesting thread. Funny to see some very down on Usyk before the first Joshua fight. But Usyk simply displayed his greatness.

 

Hahaha i take to the chin i admit. But that was more a damage control. If you look at my post at that time and pre-that you will see i'm huge Usyk fan.
And still i believe that Usyk is on the slide, and it's declined quite since his CW days, which is also normal, as the facts i stated, aka the injuries and the inactive time.
Still his level is so good, even past it, he still beat 100% prime fighter in AJ twice.

 

Joshua has this in the bag for sure.
Can't see a path to victory for Usyk here and if he somehow pulls it off, it will be by freak injury like Byrd vs Vitali back in the day. Then Joshua will completely destroy him in the rematch!