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.

[Primo Carnera]

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.

[X]

Usyk really was perplexed at what was going on at the end, he did show remarkable composure.

Can you imagine if it had been Mike Tyson in there, or Riddick Bowe? Roberto Duran would have gone ballistic and lamped AJ

[NoSavingByTheBell]

AJ showed his ugly inner character and cannot reel it back in now. Any person with that arrogant ugliness can never succeed. He is toast.

[Beanz]

AJ showed his ugly inner character and cannot reel it back in now. Any person with that arrogant ugliness can never succeed. He is toast.

He has already succeded at a magnitude and level most people will never come close to touching. Far from being toast he has every chance of continuing to build a very respectable record as a relatively young heavyweight. He has absolutely starched, iced, finished most of his opponents and proven more than able to box a bit and last the full 12 when not doing so. He has managed to go 24 rounds with Usyk despite most people insisiting he would be knocked out cold or made to look like garbage. The idea that a model professional can be dismissed on the evidence of one very stupid post fight meltdown is laughable but to suggest that shows an 'ugly' inner character just reveals how unhinged you are for thinking such a thing. He was stupid and crass but he had just dragged his arse thru physical and mental walls that would leave most people puking on their knees.

[TitoFan]

Usyk really was perplexed at what was going on at the end, he did show remarkable composure.

Can you imagine if it had been Mike Tyson in there, or Riddick Bowe? Roberto Duran would have gone ballistic and lamped AJ

Good point, and surprised nobody had mentioned this before. I think it was mostly remarkable composure... but also a little bit of being shell-shocked. Let's face it. Nobody upon winning a boxing match expects the opponent to grab the mic and go on a bizarre 4-minute rant. And yes... good point on lucky it was Usyk in there and not someone with the temperament of a Mike Tyson or a Duran. Could've easily had a bonus 13th round.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

Joshua-"I have character!"
The rest of us- "Was it attached to the belts you just threw out of the ring?"

[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.

[TIC]

i think oleksandr still had gears that he never used, showed a rev up in the tenth & i feel could have really turned the screws down the stretch had he wanted to

[NoSavingByTheBell]

i think oleksandr still had gears that he never used, showed a rev up in the tenth & i feel could have really turned the screws down the stretch had he wanted to

Yeah he still had something left but you saw Joshua when the bell rang at the end of the 12th round he was staggering back to his corner and really off balance for the first couple of steps. Usyk definitely had more left and I think if there had been a 13th round he would have knocked out Joshua because Joshua was totally spent.

He was skint.

[Master]

i think oleksandr still had gears that he never used, showed a rev up in the tenth & i feel could have really turned the screws down the stretch had he wanted to

Yeah he still had something left but you saw Joshua when the bell rang at the end of the 12th round he was staggering back to his corner and really off balance for the first couple of steps. Usyk definitely had more left and I think if there had been a 13th round he would have knocked out Joshua because Joshua was totally spent.

He was skint.

That is because he was pacing himself for 12 rounds and if it was longer he would have left something for those rounds. Stop being illogical.

[Mark TKO]

Still on holiday so not been keeping up.

Any news on ppv numbers?

[NoSavingByTheBell]

i think oleksandr still had gears that he never used, showed a rev up in the tenth & i feel could have really turned the screws down the stretch had he wanted to

Yeah he still had something left but you saw Joshua when the bell rang at the end of the 12th round he was staggering back to his corner and really off balance for the first couple of steps. Usyk definitely had more left and I think if there had been a 13th round he would have knocked out Joshua because Joshua was totally spent.

He was skint.

That is because he was pacing himself for 12 rounds and if it was longer he would have left something for those rounds. Stop being illogical.

Nahh, he just gasses easy.