What is Joshua's biggest problem?

Part of the problem is that he inherited great genetics: size, athleticism etc. Just look at him physically: he is a monster. He shot to the top with these gifts without having to learn his craft, overcome adversity etc etc. Look at the long road Hagler had to take before he became champion.

He lost to an ATG (no shame there) and he doesn't know how to deal with it mentally. He needs to get back to fighting regularly and get his confidence back.

 

Joshua has several problems

Chin
Stamina
Mental strength
Desire he’s got all the money he will ever need.


Quite honestly he’s always been more hype for me than anything. He had the looks and build of a stereotypical heavyweight champion but didn’t have all of the tools.

 

Low Confidence and lack of heart. He hasn’t declined physically in any noticeable way. He just second guesses himself too much now which limits his ability to see openings. I hate to say it but he just lost his nuts after Ruiz. He isn’t willing to exchange at mid-range anymore which eliminates much of the potency of his offense with his short power hooks and uppercuts.

 

Ability. He's better than the Parkers and Pulevs of the world but not as good as the Furys or Usyks.

He's a good heavyweight who will cause anybody issues but you'd expect the top 4 in the division to be beating him.

 

Needs to practise his hooks in training, he has no confidence in his hook and rarely throws it which is why he clinches so much on the inside.

 

Never mind the hook, what's happened to the right uppercut? Wlad's head is still shaking from that Joshua monster uppercut from 2017.

 

he overthinks things. gets lost in his own head. thats because he lacks the mindset to force things to be, by sheer willpower. hes not the bite down on the gumshield kinda guy. hes more of a spit out the gumshield and figure out what went wrong kinda guy.

 

Never mind the hook?

 

It’s never been his best punch but if you’re saying he now clinches too much on the inside then rediscovering the uppercut that caused so much damage to his opponents earlier in his career would be the thing to work on.

 

There isn’t a problem with Joshua. He just found his level where he can win some and lose some. That level is world level. He’s just not the best of the best, no shame in that. If he retired today his record would have 2 losses to Usyk who is an ATG and one loss to Ruiz which was avenged.

Appreciate that he actually fought the best people available win or lose and will probably still go on to fight Wilder & Fury. There are champions all over boxing that dont fight the best fights, look at Bud and Spence

 

You need a hook to be an elite fighter.