Comments Thread For: Anthony Joshua: 'I've Been Listening To A lot of Virgil Hunter'

[Earl-Hickey]

"I know it’s a clicks business these days. And I understand that clicks pay the bills." - Lyle Fitzsimmons

What Joshua needs is less . Way, way less.
Virgil Hunter is the last guy he needs. Except maybe Ben Davidson.
He's gotten all tangled up since he fought Klitschko and tried to become something it should now be apparent that he's definitely not.
This overthinking thing really isn't any help to him.

Ehhh Joshuas boxing technique that he's learned has its place, you can't say "ohh he's definatley not got any skill" because he got put boxed by the most talented guy in the division, there's a lot of guys who would and have had issues with his superior boxing ability.

The thing is this (and probably fury) is the one situation where he actually needs to revert and just make it about size and physicality.

But don't throw the baby out with the bath water, IF he beat Usyk he might get mandated vs a Joseph Parker or someone like that next, where his improved boxing ability would be useful.

[diplo]

AJ should hire me as his trainer in all seriousness I know how to give him the best chance vs Usyk he needs to work on his feints and left hook and drill on controlling the distance, it's a bunch of little things but the main issue is his mentality, if he hires me I'll slap him in the face everyday and tell him it's a fight and be prepared to have a fight.

AJ is not a great, but he's also not bad. He still relies on a pretty much amateur style technique but his main problem is that you can always see a bit of fear in him. But yeah, mentality is his main problem I would agree. Would also suspect his chin, but that's a bit unfair at heavyweight level I guess.

[Madison Boxing]

more fool him....

[Earl-Hickey]

AJ is not a great, but he's also not bad. He still relies on a pretty much amateur style technique but his main problem is that you can always see a bit of fear in him. But yeah, mentality is his main problem I would agree. Would also suspect his chin, but that's a bit unfair at heavyweight level I guess.

His chin isn't great by any means but I do think some of that comes down to his mentality as well, he looks somewhat shocked to get hit nowadays.

Back when he was fighting more of an aggressive style vs Whyte he took some big shots and held them well, when Usyk hit him with a stiff jab he looked panicked.

That's what I mean he needs to just accept the fact Usyk is gonna land on him and get over that with the mindset of "I'm gonna hit him back harder"

He also needs to attack him hard in the first round, not even really to try and ko him but to AT least smash a heavy combo into his guard, maybe grab him and throw him on the floor even, just something to let Usyk know early that this is a different fight.

[diplo]

His chin isn't great by any means but I do think some of that comes down to his mentality as well, he looks somewhat shocked to get hit nowadays.

Back when he was fighting more of an aggressive style vs Whyte he took some big shots and held them well, when Usyk hit him with a stiff jab he looked panicked.

That's what I mean he needs to just accept the fact Usyk is gonna land on him and get over that with the mindset of "I'm gonna hit him back harder"

Even when Ruiz was landing on him (before he got the first big hit that concussed him) he was getting wobbled and looked timid. Certainly against Usyk he was not at all assertive and was backing off from jabs as you say (backing off, as opposed to parrying or blocking or with movement). And once he gets caught he goes on the run, I've never seen him dig in (maybe vs Whyte and vs Wlad, but still not that convincingly to me). Maybe that's just his self preservation instinct, not to go out like Wilder.

[deathofaclown]

Has Hunter really improved any fighters?

i can’t think of anyone. Obviously he did a great job with Ward from a youngster but apart from that, I don’t see anyone making real improvements under him

and don’t say Khan, his best wins were with Freddie Roach, he just wouldn’t stay with trainers after a loss.

[LA_2_Vegas]

Really not sure what to think about AJ - obviously took the bad L to Usyk, looked dead at the end but...I I thought he boxed better than he did against Ruiz 2. This one is tough

[LA_2_Vegas]

Has Hunter really improved any fighters?

i can’t think of anyone. Obviously he did a great job with Ward from a youngster but apart from that, I don’t see anyone making real improvements under him

and don’t say Khan, his best wins were with Freddie Roach, he just wouldn’t stay with trainers after a loss.

Maybe slight improvements in Buatsi? any thoughts on him

[Jab jab boom]

Used to watch a helluva lot of Kung FU movies on Saturday as a teen. Didn't really work out for me in them streets! Lol!

If you watched Bruce Leroy from the Last Dragon, you’d be able to catch a bullet with your teeth by now.

[The Old LefHook]

It won't save you, scrub.