Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 2

[Master]

Anthony Joshua, he believes his loss to Oleksandr Usyk comes down to the Ukrainian’s southpaw stance.

“I need adjustments to deal with a southpaw because to me these lefties are a nightmare,” Joshua admitted.

“I swear that if Oleksandr wasn’t a lefty I would have smoked him. One hundred per cent.”

This is not the first time Joshua has struggled with a southpaw, as he came up against the left-handed Roberto Cammarelle in the final of the London 2012 Olympics.

Joshua managed to emerge victorious and claim the gold medal, but it was anything but a comfortable victory, as he went into the final round down on the judges scorecards and even today Cammarelle contests the decision.

Outside of just lacking experience against Usyk’s southpaw stance, ‘AJ’ also admitted that he used the wrong tactics in the first fight and he will be looking to make major changes ahead of the rematch on August 20.

“It sounds crazy but I’m not going to lie. My objective was never to hurt him, to land damaging punches,” Joshua revealed.

“My aim was to go the full 12 rounds and prove I could box as well as he does. To land scoring punches.

“But I didn’t work hard enough to prepare for a 12-round fight at that pace. I wasn’t in the right mind-set. That of wanting to go in there and smash him.

“Using my size and power this time is evident, isn’t it? But to work on it is easier said than done.

“I do want to do him harm this time, despite all my respect for what he has done in the war in Ukraine.

“I do know that if I use my elements of height and strength I will have a better chance of winning.”

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1...usyk-southpaw/

[TIC]

something that hasn't really been mentioned is the possibility that oleksandr could have improved for the rematch

[NoSavingByTheBell]

Usyk gains too much or bulks up looking to "smoke" AJ, he could get caught early and good night Irene.

[Primo Carnera]

something that hasn't really been mentioned is the possibility that oleksandr could have improved for the rematch

Exactly. It doesn’t help the hype machine though if that’s the case. But he more than likely has improved and it probably means that more than likely he will win more comfortably than last time.

[Spicoli]

something that hasn't really been mentioned is the possibility that oleksandr could have improved for the rematch

He's going to need to be even better. I'm near convinced he needs the ko or a major blatant shaft will unfold on the cards. They've literally declared AJ the billion-dollar franchise man going forward and Furys silly toe in toe out nonsense. Zero doubt that if it's AJ, Fury will come bobbing around the corner. Why wait until after the fight for wbc retirement.

[Master]

[Beanz]

Usyk is insisting this is round 13 and that may come back to bite him. I have backed AJ to win by KO here as a bit of a counter to so many Brits wanting him to lose because they are butt hurt racist twats, but I can see with my boxing head that is a long shot. I got decent value in a ko by 4 for AJ, disqualification for either, (which is super unlikely but value odds that more than reflect that) or a stoppage by either within 3.

All the bookies see Usyk as a overwhelming favourite and logic would see him build on the first fight and break an already fragile AJ earlier, but I think Usyk is going to try and stand toe to toe from the start and rely on his accuracy to win a firefight. I think that leaves him open to being hurt by a less accurate but more hurtful Joshua who nowhere near as shite as everyone is claiming. He is flawed but he is capable of much more than he has shown recently.

Should be fun whatever way the hammer falls. May the best man win... Or be disqualified for getting carried away (:

[Kirkland Laing]

Usyk is going to make Joshua quit.

I can't believe his entire fight plan amounts to "go in there and smash him". He may well start the fight like that but as soon as he takes a big punch on his chin he'll back off and fight safety first. By halfway he'll be out of ideas and fighting not to get knocked out but will either get sparked, stopped or he'll just outright quit in the later rounds. I think the last of these options is a definite possibility.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

Anthony Joshua: I'm coming back in here to overpower him.

Uncle Joon: Either come heavy or don't come at all.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

"any hope of a Tyson fury Anthony Joshua mega fight will be completely dashed if Joshua beats Usyk in the rematch, as then they will have a third fight."

-- Anonymous

[Master]

I normally would say the first 3 rounds will dictate how the fight will go but this could be the first 3 minutes. AJ has chosen the grant gloves so will be attacking from the first bell.

[palmerq]

Woman boxing in Saudi Arabia....with bare shoulders !!! Outrageous.