The only round AJ won clearly today was the 9th.

[PRINCEKOOL]

I thought Usyk won more rounds than the first fight, but he was not as dominant in the rounds and did not cause as much damage.

Joshua inflicted more damage on Usyk, compared to he first fight. I think out of the two fighters, Joshua again inflicted the most damage.

After reflecting on both fights. Joshua boxed well, with what skills he has.

His lack of solid Jab, elite level endurance, aggression and ability to rough house his opponents lost him the fight.

If Joshua could improve in these area's, he would probably beat Usyk.

So overall, I had Usyk winning more rounds than the first. But those rounds where close competitive rounds.

I think after round 9, once again Joshua started to go backwards. Same thing happened in the first fight.

[billeau2]

It was Usyk's jab vs AJ's body blows
Then a fight broke out in the 9th.

It was round 13, and most of these rematches usually are.

[BodyBagz]

It was round 13, and most of these rematches usually are.

I could have sworn AJ would have progressively stepped up his attack.
So much for switching trainers.

[billeau2]

I thought Usyk won more rounds than the first fight, but he was not as dominant in the rounds and did not cause as much damage.

Joshua inflicted more damage on Usyk, compared to he first fight. I think out of the two fighters, Joshua again inflicted the most damage.

After reflecting on both fights. Joshua boxed well, with what skills he has.

His lack of solid Jab, elite level endurance, aggression and ability to rough house his opponents lost him the fight.

If Joshua could improve in these area's, he would probably beat Usyk.

So overall, I had Usyk winning more rounds than the first. But those rounds where close competitive rounds.

I think after round 9, once again Joshua started to go backwards. Same thing happened in the first fight.

I think you make some good comments about the rounds contrasting the first and second fight.

But this notion that AJ could somehow get down and dirty is a pipe dream. It was created to make it sound like if AJ was a killer he could somehow get to a master boxer. Boxing and fighting does not work that way. The guys who beat master boxers, guys like Mayorga who beat Forrest twice did not simply walk in there and turn it into a street fight. There has to be a technical way one asserts himself, like Tyson Fury putting his weight on Cunningham... Or like Holyfield going into Tyson and not backing off... Its not a magical button that one pushes.

AJ does not use effective aggression. He has a good flurry, a good round and backs off. He is not a killer, he is an athlete. Different mentality... Champions like Vlad Klitsko were similar to Joshua.

[billeau2]

I could have sworn AJ would have progressively stepped up his attack.
So much for switching trainers.

Well he did show some chops going to the body... What most people sort of call "rough tough AJ" would have involved going after Usyk after the hits to the body. I tell you though, a picture is worth a million words... If someone watches Foreman against Lyle, that is what it looks like when two fighters are trying to put the other guy away. But yeah... AJ did not manifest a different side this fight lol.

[BodyBagz]

Well he did show some chops going to the body... What most people sort of call "rough tough AJ" would have involved going after Usyk after the hits to the body. I tell you though, a picture is worth a million words... If someone watches Foreman against Lyle, that is what it looks like when two fighters are trying to put the other guy away. But yeah... AJ did not manifest a different side this fight lol.

True, which is why I found his lack of upping his attack strange.
He had some success to the body, which would logically assume the head would be next.
To me, it seemed AJ was satisfied with the body shots and went on the defensive too soon.
After switching trainers, you'd assume they watched film.
Saw how AJ needed to go out and WIN rds (by winning rds, it should mean to land meaningful punches )
New trainer = Nothing new

Foreman vs Lyle was epic.

[Toffee]

True, which is why I found his lack of upping his attack strange.
He had some success to the body, which would logically assume the head would be next.
To me, it seemed AJ was satisfied with the body shots and went on the defensive too soon.

I think the plan was to invest in the body and slow Usyk's movement and then go for broke.

But Usyk didn't slow until he got caught with a great body shot in the 9th. Joshua went for it but a combination of Joshua's low fuel and Usyk's resilience meant he made the bell reasonably comfortably.

I still think Joshua waited too long before going for broke. I think he was in the fight on the cards but forget the cards - he needed to put a big dent in Usyk before round 8 as he was never going to have the stamina for the last few rounds.

He fought a slightly different gameplan but it was the same outcome. He didn't get desperate enough early enough to hurt Usyk, and Usyk is good enough to run away with the late rounds.

I suspect it would the same outcome if they were to fight again. Unless someone could convince Joshua that is better to get stopped in 10 but have had a chance of winning, than to see the final bell in a closely scored fight but never really have a chance of winning.

[BodyBagz]

I think the plan was to invest in the body and slow Usyk's movement and then go for broke.

But Usyk didn't slow until he got caught with a great body shot in the 9th. Joshua went for it but a combination of Joshua's low fuel and Usyk's resilience meant he made the bell reasonably comfortably.

I still think Joshua waited too long before going for broke. I think he was in the fight on the cards but forget the cards - he needed to put a big dent in Usyk before round 8 as he was never going to have the stamina for the last few rounds.

He fought a slightly different gameplan but it was the same outcome. He didn't get desperate enough early enough to hurt Usyk, and Usyk is good enough to run away with the late rounds.

I suspect it would the same outcome if they were to fight again. Unless someone could convince Joshua that is better to get stopped in 10 but have had a chance of winning, than to see the final bell in a closely scored fight but never really have a chance of winning.

In retrospect, AJ might have done ''better'' had he not gone for broke in the 9th
The 10th rd was when Usyk took over big time.

But yeah. Each rd AJ should have gotten more aggressive/assertive.,

That wasn't the case.

AJ can still be a force vs everyone else.