Comments Thread For: Anthony Joshua: I Can Outbox Usyk, And I Can Out-Strength Usyk

[hugh grant]

I can't see this fight ending early it will go 12. But Josh better be prepared if plan A don't work he will need plan b,c

[REDEEMER]

AJ wins due to size not boxing ability.

He won’t land punches without boxing ability unless he fights with rough tactics like Chisora. It won’t matter how AJ wins I got my top excuses posters will use when he does . Theses posters vote on Usyk when it’s a non public poll but are a no show when a poll is made public Ive seen it .

[MastaBlasta]

Joshua has every asset and reason to be able to win this fight, but, he may lose it. Two things will decide it. 1- How well Usyk's movement and defense hold up is key. Can he rope-a-dope? If he can get AJ to do too much swinging at any point in a round he will develop opportunities to hurt AJ. When those muscles tire and the acid builds up is when Usyk will need to be very aggressive, those will be his moments. There is something Ali-like in Usyk's defensive style (at least there used to be), he keeps himself composed and able to attack quickly after his opponent attacks. I think there is enough dog and tiger in Usyk that he will take advantage if/when AJ stamina falters.

2- How comfortable will Usyk be trading with a 6'6" 240 lb guy? Usyk has always been very good at finding a certain comfort level in his fights, whereby he relaxes and all of his natural offensive and defensive instincts kinda take over. He is fun to watch when he is in that comfort level, and very dangerous. That will be a key question in this fight. Can Joshua keep him from being comfortable ans shifting into cruise-control. If AJ keeps him bothered, off-balance, intimidated, etc .... this will probably be a long night for Usyk. But if he gets relaxed and comfortable Joshua might get into real trouble ... much like when Ali would conquer bigger, stronger men. Usyk definitely has elite level skills when he fights in his comfort zone.

It's a fascinating fight for these and many other reasons. Joshua again has all the needed assets and skill to put this fight away. But where is he psychologically after the Ruiz fights? Where does his mind go if things get complicated or out of control for him in there? How will he react if Usyk unloads big punches and drops him? (Yes it CAN happen). Where will AJ's spirit go if he gets in trouble again? It's a fact AJ gets very discouraged if he has to start taking a lot of good punches. Can Usyk find a way to do some pounding?

If Usyk can get Joshua in uncertain waters during this fight we will all learn a lot about the real Joshua. If not Usyk could get pounded. A fascinating fight ....

[M111]

How do you see Usyk outboxing Joshua tho? Genine question.

I like Usyk and am a fan of his career at Cruiser, but think his style is all wrong for outclassing bigger men. He can't dance in and out of range against people with significant reach advantage, and equal or better speed...

Do you think he'll look to set traps?

I think we could actually be in for quite a boring fight - AJ scoring points in a very orthodox style, banking rounds and Usyk's awkwardness and ability in the exchanges scaring AJ off going for the kill in the pocket.

Well first off I think Usyk is quicker, more fluid and has better timing so as with Bellew he’ll exhaust Joshua with the feints and just generally outspeed him. Not sure I fully agree with him not being able to dance in and out. I do think he struggled to do that initially with Del Boy but then Del Boy is a pressure fighter. That’s what he does. Joshua isn’t and I do think Usyk’s quicker feet are going to make it much harder for J to land. I think Usyk will get to Joshua more often than either Parker or Povetkin did. Joshua doesn’t cope with speed that well historically and Usyk also has a better engine than both.

[M111]

Plus I think Usyk joined the division carrying excess weight. I think he’s leaned down since and put on more
muscle. I think he’ll be lighter on his feet than he was against Chisora.

[greeneye99]

if usyk figured out bellew then he can figure out joshua

Wow it's just that easy huh?

[Smash]

Wow it's just that easy huh?

on paper of course

[MastaBlasta]

Usyk is going to figure out he should have trained Orthodox as well, this will be one of AJs easiest fights .

Any second thoughts??

[MastaBlasta]

This.

The duration of the fight would look like the first 6 rds of Teo vs Loma. Josh just need to land a big one early.

Usyk is gonna stay mostly on AJ’s left to avoid that straight right down the pipe - AJ’s excellent lead hook would bust his whole face until he drifts right and get slumped.

Care to try again?

[MastaBlasta]

Everyone shpould re-read Post #43 again ... after the fight now. Did I call it or no?