Anthony Joshua has become a (very) Poor man's Wladamir Klitschko

[Frankie Coffeecake]

Both of these guys had similar innate weaknesses, poor punch resistance, stamina issues when pushed, losing to shorter guys with handspeed.

So it made sense when they tried to use Wlads template for AJ.

However its not worked and let me point out the differences.

1. Jab

Wladamir jab was a punishing spear of a jab that was enough to end fights on its own. It was a sort of forcefield for Wlad that was difficult tfor opponents to deal with, and broke them down. Joshuas jab is wak, forced out, less dynamic and less accurate.

2. Clinch game

Wladamir CLINCHKO as we used to call him, but you know what, it worked. If an opponent got past Wlads jab somehow they would find themselves locked in a bear hug style clinch having their energy sapped until the ref broke them and put them back behind the jab. Wlad was an expert at squeezing opponents necks in the clinch, and leaning all of his 245lbs on their necks to the point of lifting himself off the floor.

3. Development fights.

Wladamir developed his style over a few years, against mostly low threat opponents, Joshua is attempting to learn against the best of the division

4. Robert Mcracken doesn't understand Joshuas weaknesses.

Manny steward knew Wlad was a vulnerable fighter, Mcracken doesn't seem to want to admit it fully and as a result he won't commit to a fully low risk style.

[JimRaynor]

You hit the nail on the head about the biggest difference being that jab. Wladimir had one of the best jabs in the history of heavyweight boxing, right up there with Larry Holmes. A laser beam that not only kept his opponents at bay but wore them down as the rounds progressed.

[Frankie Coffeecake]

You hit the nail on the head about the biggest difference being that jab. Wladimir had one of the best jabs in the history of heavyweight boxing, right up there with Larry Holmes. A laser beam that not only kept his opponents at bay but wore them down as the rounds progressed.

I've seen people including industry experts praise Joshuas jab which is just bewildering to me, his jab has never been damaging, its always been an "OK" jab to me and nothing more, not a serious weapon.

[JimRaynor]

I've seen people including industry experts praise Joshuas jab which is just bewildering to me, his jab has never been damaging, its always been an "OK" jab to me and nothing more, not a serious weapon.

AJ's jab is average, absolutely nothing special. His strength is his power especially his power combo shots. Tonight AJ did not attempt to throw anything of real substance.

[Frankie Coffeecake]

AJ's jab is average, absolutely nothing special. His strength is his power especially his power combo shots. Tonight AJ did not attempt to throw anything of real substance.

He would have just got countered if he had tried to unload, Usyk's movement was far too slick and Joshua needed to be investing to the body from the clinch a lot more than he did. It looked like for a minute in rounds 5 and 6 that he was starting to get to Usyk, and that came off power punches to the body coming off the clinch, I thought if he kept that up, he will slow Usyk down and then he can let the power shots go.

but then he went back to his weak jab and got his head boxed off again.

[Ricardi]

He would have just got countered if he had tried to unload, Usyk's movement was far too slick and Joshua needed to be investing to the body from the clinch a lot more than he did. It looked like for a minute in rounds 5 and 6 that he was starting to get to Usyk, and that came off power punches to the body coming off the clinch, I thought if he kept that up, he will slow Usyk down and then he can let the power shots go.

but then he went back to his weak jab and got his head boxed off again.

Exactly his ass would've got countered left and right . 100% would've got KO'D

[sicko]

The Trainers of this ERA Suck and are overrated

It is no Manny Steward around anymore to teach Taller and Longer guys how to FIGHT TALL. How to use and throw a Jab PROPERLY!

AJ never had a Snappy Quick Jab, he is so STIFF, all those Muscles are just for show because his style is not overpowering and he doesn't use all those muscles in a fight. That guy is SOFT on the inside, he doesn't have a inside game at all, dude can't even clinch Properly

Not a Fluid Athlete he is very Clumsy and he Loads Up. Very Lucky Usyk is not a big puncher!

[Toffee]

Both of these guys had similar innate weaknesses, poor punch resistance, stamina issues when pushed, losing to shorter guys with handspeed.

So it made sense when they tried to use Wlads template for AJ.

However its not worked and let me point out the differences.

1. Jab

Wladamir jab was a punishing spear of a jab that was enough to end fights on its own. It was a sort of forcefield for Wlad that was difficult tfor opponents to deal with, and broke them down. Joshuas jab is wak, forced out, less dynamic and less accurate.

2. Clinch game

Wladamir CLINCHKO as we used to call him, but you know what, it worked. If an opponent got past Wlads jab somehow they would find themselves locked in a bear hug style clinch having their energy sapped until the ref broke them and put them back behind the jab. Wlad was an expert at squeezing opponents necks in the clinch, and leaning all of his 245lbs on their necks to the point of lifting himself off the floor.

3. Development fights.

Wladamir developed his style over a few years, against mostly low threat opponents, Joshua is attempting to learn against the best of the division

4. Robert Mcracken doesn't understand Joshuas weaknesses.

Manny steward knew Wlad was a vulnerable fighter, Mcracken doesn't seem to want to admit it fully and as a result he won't commit to a fully low risk style.

You're saying that they copied Wlad's style, but it hasn't worked because they copied literally nothing that Wlad did? Not the jab, not the clinching, not the fight pattern, and not the low risk approach.

Have you considered that they may not have followed Wlad's template? Given there's zero relationship (as you pointed out) between Wlad and AJ's styles?

[Frankie Coffeecake]

You're saying that they copied Wlad's style, but it hasn't worked because they copied literally nothing that Wlad did? Not the jab, not the clinching, not the fight pattern, and not the low risk approach.

Have you considered that they may not have followed Wlad's template? Given there's zero relationship (as you pointed out) between Wlad and AJ's styles?

Nah they tried to copy his style and have just failed due to not understanding it properly.

Post the klitschko fight Joshua was getting advice from him, having phonecalls with him, talking about fighting like him etc. And you can see they are trying to fight in that style but just suck at it.

[15round]

He would have just got countered if he had tried to unload, Usyk's movement was far too slick and Joshua needed to be investing to the body from the clinch a lot more than he did. It looked like for a minute in rounds 5 and 6 that he was starting to get to Usyk, and that came off power punches to the body coming off the clinch, I thought if he kept that up, he will slow Usyk down and then he can let the power shots go.

but then he went back to his weak jab and got his head boxed off again.

You don't get it. Joshua lacks stamina and he is not relaxed in the ring which wears him down even more. You can put an overweight fighter in with him like Ruiz and he has more stamina than Joshua because he is relaxed in the ring. Usyk sensed that he was tired in the seventh and went right after him. Same round that Ruiz beat him down until he quit.