Comments Thread For: Vitali Klitschko: If Joshua Side-Stepped Usyk Rematch, It Would Show Weakness

[Nightfall]

Joshy is already soft. how much is the step aside? if its seven figures then i'm taking it on the grounds that i'm guaranteed the winner. It would be for all the belts

[Earl-Hickey]

A brute force caveman unga bunga strategy probably just gets him outboxed even worse than last time or even stopped. It's just not in his DNA. Despite the exaggerations of users on this forum the first fight wasn't uncompetitve, Joshua wasn't that far off. In the middle rounds he was starting to build momentum that could have seen him take the fight had Usyk not rallied and taken the momentum back in the final rounds. It's definitely not inconceivable that Joshua could win the rematch by making relatively small improvements and adjustments rather than sweeping changes to his game that run contrary to his fighting style.

Oh man they are gonna hate you for this.

But I agree, I've suggested he needs to adjust his style slightly to avoid hanging about at mid range which was the area Usyk had the most success.

Either he needs to stay outside and force Usyk to have to be coming forward and reaching with his shots, or if Usyk gets past long range step in, tie up and let singles go inside until the ref seperates.

This will lower the volume, lower the pace and keep Usyk out of his preferred range while also letting him rest inside, it'd be ugly and the fight would have zero flow but that's what you want vs Usyk.

It's just about Joshua using his advantages which are height, reach, bulk and power. He didn't do TERRIBLY in the first fight in which he basically played Usyk's game, so if he can impose his size into the dna of the fight he has a solid chance.

Looking forward to the rematch.

[Cyborg Fangerloo]

Too often size is seen as punching power. When a HW loses 10% of his body weight and does it right, he doesn’t lose 10% of his power. I think that AJ should rematch him, come in lean and mean, and use his motor to be more active while utilizing small adaptations in his strategy. A win is certainly not out of the question.

[champion4ever]

Yeah Vitali Klitschko is right and I agree. Taking step aside money is a sign of a weakness and a broken fighter who no longer believes in himself. So don't do it Joshua. It's ok to lose with honor but don't lose to fear.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Anthony Joshua, whether he steps aside, rematches Uysk, or fights somebody else is going to do big business.

So there is no point for him, acting all desperate and accepting step aside money.

I think staying true to is principles as a fighter or man, will in the long term make him richer in life.

Denying the step aside offer, even without throwing a punch 'Should make his team and hardcore fans proud'.

That is the behavior of a champion. Rematch Usyk and go for the Glory. That must be respected universally.

[Bronx2245]

I disagree with Vitali! Joshua could take $20 million, and fight Wilder, Whyte, Sanchez, Helenius, or Parker, and then the winner of Fury vs. Usyk! All he needs is a GUARANTEE that he gets to fight the winner in 2022!

[marvin douglas]

I disagree with Vitali! Joshua could take $20 million, and fight Wilder, Whyte, Sanchez, Helenius, or Parker, and then the winner of Fury vs. Usyk! All he needs is a GUARANTEE that he gets to fight the winner in 2022!

The problem is he doesn't get a guarantee that he would win any of those fights. In fact, it is likely he would lose to all of them. And then where would he be? One more loss and he is completely through as a top contender and retirement is right around the corner. He should take the step-aside money, get a guarantee he'd fight the winner and not, repeat, not fight anyone. Besides the money, he really needs to give that chin of his a rest. He's just like tommy hearns. A giant muscle-bound demon in his weight class with a chin made ought a thin piece of glass!

[chicken-]

Joshua is weak whether he accepts the fight or not.

[SteveM]

A brute force caveman unga bunga strategy probably just gets him outboxed even worse than last time or even stopped. It's just not in his DNA. Despite the exaggerations of users on this forum the first fight wasn't uncompetitve, Joshua wasn't that far off. In the middle rounds he was starting to build momentum that could have seen him take the fight had Usyk not rallied and taken the momentum back in the final rounds. It's definitely not inconceivable that Joshua could win the rematch by making relatively small improvements and adjustments rather than sweeping changes to his game that run contrary to his fighting style.

Well said. I think Joshua runs into problems when he tries to string combinations together against Usyk. I would stick to a 1-2, jab right hand but REALLY vary the jab so that Usyk has less chance to react off it.

[Bronx2245]

The problem is he doesn't get a guarantee that he would win any of those fights. In fact, it is likely he would lose to all of them. And then where would he be? One more loss and he is completely through as a top contender and retirement is right around the corner. He should take the step-aside money, get a guarantee he'd fight the winner and not, repeat, not fight anyone. Besides the money, he really needs to give that chin of his a rest. He's just like tommy hearns. A giant muscle-bound demon in his weight class with a chin made ought a thin piece of glass!

If he can't beat any of the 4 I mentioned, he definitely can't beat Fury or Usyk!