Comments Thread For: Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk Official, September 25 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

[Southpawology]

I really like this fight. Usyks movement, handspeed, and southpaw advantage could trouble joshua

[Rodtang]

While I still think a perfectly tuned Fury is the best of the division, I also think Usyk is more reliable and still very very skilled technically. His size disadvantage can even be of some use against aj, as it was for Ruiz.

I personally hope usyk wins since for me he's a better boxer than aj.

AJ has struggled with smaller guys, however those have been late replacements, Ruiz you mentioned and also Takam. However he probably struggles more with the late replacement scenario more than the size I feel and I think he'll be better prepared with a full camp. That said Usyk is technically superb.

[Rodtang]

I so agree with everything you typed. There is zero way Joshua should not be the favorite. I think any level headed boxing fan can say that. Joshua is underrated as a ring general. Because he is a tad mechanical, people feel he is not as good as he is.

But this is career defining for Usyk. Everything he has accomplished as a CW would pale in comparison to earning the HW belts in this fight. Usyk will be focused and ready. It will be his best, and the best from Usyk is historically freaking good.

Not sure what Usyk's plan will be, but it will not be to lay back and try not to lose. He will come to win because that is who he is. If he gets the victory, it will be because he scored early and often and outworked Joshua. If he loses, it will be because he TRIED to outwork Joshua, failed, and got laid out. That makes this a fun fight.

Yes I agree. Usyk I think has to get inside AJs jab quick and let go combos in the short to mid range. But he can't hang around in there either. Quick combo then out and move until he gets in again. And has to watch for the uppercut.

[Rodtang]

Who wants to fight who is debatable depending on what side you are looking from. And the two he "beat", he just levelled the scores because they too beat him.

Well against Ruiz its one each with a trilogy pending. He's one up against Whyte unless you choose to count the Amateurs which doesn't mean **** in pro boxing. Ortiz knocked back 7mil and that's why Ruiz got a shot lol. As for Wilder we all know only one side was trying to make that but falling on deaf ears is an understatement and even wilder has admitted that he was offered more than he made for fighting Fury.

[Chrismart]

Interesting one this, looking forward to it.

[OnlytheTruth]

beating a cruiserweight that looked ordinary against B and C class HWs is what makes AJ "credible" in your eyes? AJ needs to beat Wilder, Fury, Ortiz, and rematch Whyte and Ruiz to gain any credibility.

Behave yourself.

Wilder already admitted to ducking Joshua.
Ortiz refused a deal.
Whyte got KO'd.
Fury - well, how many theories do you want?
He has rematched Ruiz, remember? You mean a trilogy fight?

[OnlytheTruth]

AJ has struggled with smaller guys, however those have been late replacements, Ruiz you mentioned and also Takam. However he probably struggles more with the late replacement scenario more than the size I feel and I think he'll be better prepared with a full camp. That said Usyk is technically superb.

Ruiz was a true 'last minute' replacement here. But Takam was under contract and he did a full camp just in case Pulev pulled out. Which we all know he did.

Joshua vs Takam: The timeline of events that led Anthony Joshua to Carlos Takam | Boxing News | Sky Sports - scroll down to September 5th.

But I agree with what you are saying, it appears that the replacements are an issue.

[Rodtang]

Ruiz was a true 'last minute' replacement here. But Takam was under contract and he did a full camp just in case Pulev pulled out. Which we all know he did.

Joshua vs Takam: The timeline of events that led Anthony Joshua to Carlos Takam | Boxing News | Sky Sports - scroll down to September 5th.

But I agree with what you are saying, it appears that the replacements are an issue.

AJ was scheduled to fight Pulev as his IBF mandatory and pulled out and Takam was next in line in the rankings so became his mandatory fight instead. Taken was a reserve and came in on 12 days notice but had trained a full camp as you say. But AJ struggled to get to grips with him with that limited time to adjust to a new opponent. Adapting at short notice not his strong suit. The Usyk fight is a real intriguing contest.

[Willy Wanker]

Damn.

Great fight to make.

[OnlytheTruth]

AJ was scheduled to fight Pulev as his IBF mandatory and pulled out and Takam was next in line in the rankings so became his mandatory fight instead. Taken was a reserve and came in on 12 days notice but had trained a full camp as you say. But AJ struggled to get to grips with him with that limited time to adjust to a new opponent. Adapting at short notice not his strong suit. The Usyk fight is a real intriguing contest.

Takam genuinely had the crowds respect after his performance. I’d say he deserved another bite at the cherry over Pulev. I can understand the mentality of Joshua and Hearn though. Why rematch someone that he ‘stopped’?