If Joshua could fight aggressive vs Usyk, why didn't he the first time?

[Earl-Hickey]

You could say oh that wasn't his strategy but his strategy of boxing clearly wasn't working very well as early as the first round so why didn't he just say fugg it BANZAAAAIIIIII

I tell you why, because he knew he would get ko'd

[PRINCEKOOL]

You are extremely apprehensive of what Anthony Joshua can do mate.

You full well know Joshua can fight extremely aggressive, the evidence is there in his career.

And common opinion, is that Joshua needs to somehow revert back to that style and attitude etc.

I think you are spooked, Joshua is undefeated in rematches. His over analytical style does inhibit him from making adaptions on the fly 'As he will stall or just stick to what he has been working on'.

But in any war, and long game situation. His traits start to excel, Joshua has near psychopathic work ethic. He is not going to fight the same fight twice, and he has been preparing obsessively for this rematch for quite sometime now.

This rematch is easier for Joshua to prepare for than Ruiz Junior II. Joshua lasted the full 12 rounds, he was not knocked down and? He has visual conformation of the damage he caused Usyk. Yes Joshua was beaten, but he was competitive.

[P to the J]

You could say oh that wasn't his strategy but his strategy of boxing clearly wasn't working very well as early as the first round so why didn't he just say fugg it BANZAAAAIIIIII

I tell you why, because he knew he would get ko'd

This is the million dollar question. Seen this look on a boxer's face too often: when they've calculated every possible solution to their in-ring conundrum and found it insoluble.

Saw it in AJ after round 1, and argued at the time that he knew he couldn't commit because Usyk had the footwork, upperbody movement, hand-speed primed to counterpunch him from numerous angles. Single shots would have turned into combos akin to the closing seconds of round 12.


TLDR: This **** is chess, and even a guy with mediocre boxing IQ, such as Joshua, could see he was in checkmate

[P to the J]

You are extremely apprehensive of what Anthony Joshua can do mate.

You full well know Joshua can fight extremely aggressive, the evidence is there in his career.

And common opinion, is that Joshua needs to somehow revert back to that style and attitude etc.

I think you are spooked, Joshua is undefeated in rematches. His over analytical style does inhibit him from making adaptions on the fly 'As he will stall or just stick to what he has been working on'.

But in any war, and long game situation. His traits start to excel, Joshua has near psychopathic work ethic. He is not going to fight the same fight twice, and he has been preparing obsessively for this rematch for quite sometime now.

This rematch is easier for Joshua to prepare for than Ruiz Junior II. Joshua lasted the full 12 rounds, he was not knocked down and? He has visual conformation of the damage he caused Usyk. Yes Joshua was beaten, but he was competitive.

With respect, (1) no chance this rematch is easier than Ruiz II, and (2) tough enough as this challenge is alone, its further complicated by AJ complicating things after Klitschko knocked him down; not after Ruiz did him as many believe.

I'll tell anyone that will listen that McCracken gave him so much **** for that match that he was never the same fighter afterwards

""

AJ starting adding new elements to his arsenal at various stages, since. Examples include the shoulder roll, in evidence against Povetkin in 2018; and obviously tying up vs Ruiz 2. Problem is, both look as inefficient as you would expect for a late starter to boxing. In both scenarios, he's found himself getting clocked round the face, thus undermining the fundamental purpose of such manoeuvres.

Ofc, he has never been a defensive boxer. As you say, he had a style before. He was a fighter, and trying to be something else has certainly harmed him.

Would it make a difference if he became a fighter again? Honestly, it would make the rematch more interesting, but I don't think he will succeed. More pertinently, regaining those former qualities will give him more success post-Usyk. He still beats 95% of this division fighting like that, though this is a bit of an indictment on HWs, too.

[dannnnn]

1) It's easier said than done. Usyk has hands too.

2) Most rounds were competitive and Usyk didn't really pull away until the final third. I don't think Joshua realised he needed something drastic. He probably felt he'd won his fair share of the rounds and had a shot to win on the cards (being the home fighter as well), and his corner never told him otherwise or tried to instill any urgency.
You can say "he himself should have known" but it looks different when you're in there. That's why you listen to the pair of eyes on the outside.

[Toffee]

You could say oh that wasn't his strategy but his strategy of boxing clearly wasn't working very well as early as the first round so why didn't he just say fugg it BANZAAAAIIIIII

I tell you why, because he knew he would get ko'd

You saw and heard why.

His corner told him it was working. Believe it or not, boxing is a team sport. Fighters listen to their trainers and trust them.

Joshua wanted to use his length. That wasn't necessarily a bad idea - and it was what most on here said he should do before the fight.

But Usyk had all the answers to that and it was apparent from the first round.

Joshua remains a very good fighter even if we know he struggles to adapt within fights. His corner got completely exposed though. They were pathetically bad.

[Haka]

Usyk def was outsmarting Josh from the opening bell. Couldnt keep the same pace as Usyk for afraid of getting tired out while Usyk kept chipping in rounds. Josh did not dare to go into deep waters for he was afraid of getting drowned. Will the rematch be different ? I think so, but it depends if Usyk is able to hurt him easily when AJ opens up more.

[PRINCEKOOL]

With respect, (1) no chance this rematch is easier than Ruiz II, and (2) tough enough as this challenge is alone, its further complicated by AJ complicating things after Klitschko knocked him down; not after Ruiz did him as many believe.

I'll tell anyone that will listen that McCracken gave him so much **** for that match that he was never the same fighter afterwards

""

AJ starting adding new elements to his arsenal at various stages, since. Examples include the shoulder roll, in evidence against Povetkin in 2018; and obviously tying up vs Ruiz 2. Problem is, both look as inefficient as you would expect for a late starter to boxing. In both scenarios, he's found himself getting clocked round the face, thus undermining the fundamental purpose of such manoeuvres.

Ofc, he has never been a defensive boxer. As you say, he had a style before. He was a fighter, and trying to be something else has certainly harmed him.

Would it make a difference if he became a fighter again? Honestly, it would make the rematch more interesting, but I don't think he will succeed. More pertinently, regaining those former qualities will give him more success post-Usyk. He still beats 95% of this division fighting like that, though this is a bit of an indictment on HWs, too.

Ruiz Junior pretty much obliterated Joshua over a prolonged period of time. Plus he stood up to the full force of Joshua's offense.

Usyk never did any of this. That is why I think from a mental perspective? Preparing for Usyk II, is not as haunting for Joshua in comparison to the Ruiz Junior rematch.

But technically skill for skill, it is not easier fight on fight night 'I agree'. It is just that I think Joshua is coming into this rematch with more positives he can utilize.

Joshua is clearly not as daunted by Usyk, like he was with Ruiz Junior. This is something people are overlooking or choosing to dismiss.

[anonymous2.0]

Usyk made Joshua overthink with Usyk's right hand flittering about in front of Joshua's face. Ali said "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" and Usyk's right hand was a butterfly and his left was a bee. The first few 1-2's from Usyk made Joshua focus on too many things and it mentally gassed him out.

[Lance98]

He tried and usyk didn't let the stiff robot do much.