Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 2

[Spicoli]

Just to add. The only real criticism I have of Joshua is how passive he was in the tenth. Yes Usyk came out firing. But that had to have been expected and very much part of plan A. Joshua allowed it to happen when the correct response was to do exactly what Usyk did and try to win the fight there and then by returning heavier fire. That was the time to impose himself physically. Instead he allowed round ten to become round thirteen and the game was up.

In hindsight and pattern have to wonder how much AJ punched himself out in 9th. Was a massive round for him. Once Usyk stormed out in 10th and AJ did the leaning and slumping along ropes ya just got the feel Usyk was hammer down for the haul. Doing a rewatch tonight, for all the talk and hash out on post fight it really was a fun scrap with more than a few shifts.

You’re probably right, Joshua did empty the tank in the 9th, but he had no choice. It was virtually the only joy he had in the fight, so he had to try to capitalise on it. If he never , he would have got criticised for not having killer instinct.
I had Usyk winning the fight by 4 rounds , so I had him 1 round up after the 9th anyway, and that was giving AJ a close round earlier that I couldn’t split them on.

Think I had exact same at the end score wise. There was a spot real early where AJ bounced a left hook off Usyk and Usyk moved a bit. Almost looked like he was trying to get AJ to bite that he was hurt but he felt it. First real AJ breakout was in 6th he racked Usyk and got physical getting him to ropes for first time and had a very nice body combo. Usyk immediately bulled back into AJ with his shoulder and punched back to ring center, felt like a telling point. AJ actually packaged the 8th and 9th well focusing on body but man, that 9th, Usyk knew he had to bite down mentally and take command of championship rounds. I do think and said even after Ruiz I there was a hesitancy about AJ. I mean it's natural I would suspect after being ko'd like that. Not saying lacking heart etc. more likely pacing stamina and constant shifts all while Usyk kept himself in countering position. Usyk is the type of top operator you just have to know he will find the angle to return on you and you will get clipped going on your bigger offense. Shit, maybe Usyk is just a much sharper puncher moving up than given credit for. You don't have to cave in walls to make a guy buzz, rethink and reset, tons to be said for sharp accuracy you don't see coming in guaranteed combination.