Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua 2 - August 20th

Butson

Thought I'd start a fresh thread for this as it's a big one.

Usyk was by far the better boxer in the first fight but you'd have to imagine that Joshua will be a lot more aggressive in this.

I'll go for Usyk by KO in rounds 9-10.

Pity it's on in Saudi.

Another Fury vs. Wilder.

One fighter trying to catch another with a touch of death.

Usyk the superior boxer.

I won't be buying it though.

Russia bombing Ukraine = Bad, but Saudi Arabia bombing Yemen = OK.

Lost all respect for Usyk.

yourdeadwright

If Usyk make it past 5 he wins again ,

AJ will have the intent to stand in the pocket for longer this time , Him & his team know he MUST be willing to take a hard shot or two around to get enough of his own off, It can work of course it can he is big enough & hits hard enough to hurt Usyk but if he does not put a considerable dent in Usyk by midway in the 5th its over for him,

His willingness to take shots will disappear after that, he will get on his bike & start to come apart ,Stoppage in 10 or 11 for Usyk

If i had to pick AJ its by round 2 ko , but i lean to Usyk stopping him in ............lets say 11

smurfjed

Fight is almost sold out, the remaining tickets are about €2500 +

Mantis Toboggan

This might be the first fight I'll buy in quite some time, beauty of Saudi is the fight should get going around 10.

I'd have this one as a 60/40 Usyk, can't get past Joshua being so much bigger and stronger, surely has to be better than the last time. I'm not totally convinced by Usyk, for me AJ was brutal the last day. I can see AJ being much more aggressive this time and wobbling Usyk early before running out of gas in the middle to late rounds. If I was to put the house on it I'd go Usyk points.

yourdeadwright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119492148#Comment_119492148

Today will be very telling on the scales,

I want to see what Usyk looks like is his conditioning where it should be, he looks a lot bigger but is he fleshy

Butson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119492840#Comment_119492840

Probably bulked up for more defense, rather than attack.

yourdeadwright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119492919#Comment_119492919

If its by design then that ok but if its because he spent a few months at war and was out of fighting shape that is another thing,

walshb

This for me is a very hard one to pick.

There seems to be quite a vibe from AJ as regards him being sure about getting the win.

It's a huge fight for him, and he must know the price of failure.

Simple: He has to just give it a fooking go!!! Commit, engage, press, impose and put actual spite on punches

AJ is 2-3 inches taller and will be likely 15-25 lbs heavier. Go in there and try to dominate, not just compete.

Worst that happens? He loses.....

But maybe he wins if he actually gives it a proper committed go!!! Losing because he AGAIN decides to fight cautiously and timidly is unforgiveable.

Usyk seems to have a good beard, but based off what AJ hit him with in fight 1 (very very little clean power shots), we cannot be sure how he holds up IF AJ manages to tag him clean as a whistle!

Gun to head: Usyk via mid-late rds KO, but I am 55-45 here. AJ via KO is so close behind!!!

walshb

I think Usyk is 224 and AJ 242 on the scales

BobDole22

AJ simply has to let his hands go and actually try to win the fight he cannot outbox Usyk. He needs to use his advantages in size and power show Usyk what its like to be in with a real nasty full blooded heavyweight.

Morrison J

Everyone saying Joshua can improve on the first fight are ignoring the fact that a guy as smart as Usyk is going to be so much better fighting a guy for a second time.

Joshua is simply out of his depth here. I expect Usyk to stop him in the mid rounds.

Morrison J

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119492148#Comment_119492148

What does Usyk need to do to convince you? Literally wiped out one of the best divisions in the sport then steps up to heavyweight and beats a guy who a lot were saying is the best in the division. Best fighter on the planet.

blade1

Usyk pretty much same weight as last fight and AJ up four pounds.

AJ looking more determined and there'll be no fooling around waving at the crowd on his ringwalk this time.

His biggest problem though will be if plan A isn't working, he can't sustain a plan B or C.

Also Usyk knows how to deal with all the plans in the book.

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119493522#Comment_119493522

I don't think this is what folks mean. It's simple. AJ needs to be a deal better. If that gets him the win, great. But it may not, because Usyk could well live with it, up his game and get the win.

Bottom line: AJ needs to fight with a whole lot more spirit and gusto.....I have watched the fight couple times, and for me, that spirit and gusto was sorely missing

normanoffside

Usyk 221

AJ 244

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119493530#Comment_119493530

I know you'd know him alot better so I'll bow to your superior knowledge, what I meant was not convinced by him in the heavyweight division, largely on the Chisora fight.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119493789#Comment_119493789

You beat what's in front of you.

Chisora will present different problems than AJ.

yourdeadwright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119493120#Comment_119493120

I actually agree with Dillion Whyte & think AJ has looked too vacant this week ,there is no intensity at all about him

its all a bit like the build up to Ruiz 1 ,

I'm going for Uysk in 10/11 as long as he makes it out of the first 4 without getting caught with a big one,

I'm going to go Uysk in 11

yourdeadwright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119493530#Comment_119493530

Fury beats Usyk in my opinion , To big , to strong ,very mobile but most importantly Fury has the part that AJ is missing he is ......................................................................... just as smart as Usyk

32 euro for this, that's shocking.

Think Usyk will win but AJ has a punchers chance.

Fury will beat the winner.

StevenToast

Usyk to win...im sure one of the good people of this thread will provide a link to the fight on the night....

Just like the fury whyte one👍

Brock Turnpike

Looking forward to this one. Can only see AJ win if he's willing to get hit in order to land, but even at that I would still be favouring Usyk.

Housefree

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119495667#Comment_119495667

It's airing free in Ukraine & on Usyks YouTube channel. Just need a Ukraine IP. VPN should work.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119495768#Comment_119495768

AJs big problem is that he can't take getting hit and he knows it. Whyte and Povetkin both had him buzzed.

Ruiz destroyed him in their first fight.

This is the real reason why he doesn't fight the way he used to.

walshb

Well, he better grow a pair a balls tonight and fight like a proper HW; and none a this tip tap, peck poke, swipe paw nonsense. Go in and try win. Commit to your offense, extend your arms and put proper venom behind your shots.

Give it fooking everything, and stop worrying about getting hit, getting tired, getting hurt, and losing! It’s professional boxing, for chrissake!

Mantis Toboggan

If it turns into a boxing chess match there's only one winner. AJ needs to fight dirtier, rough him up, lean on him and use that weight advantage. Go at the body early doors and try slow him down. Not sure he has it in him, all to be revealed I suppose.

blade1

No great money to be made so just going with this.

Frank Bullitt

Usyk for me, much better boxer and just looks super calm and ready, AJ looked nervous but he has to really go for it. He was made a show of the last time.

bassy

matchroom feed for the joshua v usyk fight free to air 16.east satellite 11.186 H 15000

glen123

Megogo app (or website) in Sports section or Usyk17 Youtube channel will show the fight. Just need Ukrainian VPN.

ctrl-alt-delete

A baffling 4 minute round there between Jack & Rivera

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119498887#Comment_119498887

Very odd, never seen anything like that before.

ctrl-alt-delete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119498903#Comment_119498903

Would have caused a bit of bother had Jack knocked him out there, as it was his best stint of the fight.

Rivera has put a hell of a performance in, will be interesting to see the judges cards.

Mantis Toboggan

Always liked Jack but he's definitely on the decline and lucky to get the win there.

squinn2912

I think the wrong man got the decision there. Surely Rivera did enough to take the last round. After that long round it’s very tough on him.

walshb

Never rated Jack. Like Danny Jacobs!

I thought Riviera nicked it

squinn2912

Me too. Waste of time giving JAck that decision.

A lot of the commentators all sounding very negative about Joshua’s chances tonight. I see it different at the moment. Joshua needs to go back to what he used to do and put it on the line. He wont win Usyk’s way. He was better being embarrassed by gassing than by not even having a go. I’ve never seen him lie on an opponent but that tactic might help.

yourdeadwright

Atmosphere in the place seems pretty crap for such a huge occasion

normanoffside

You've got to wonder why Callum Smith wasn't aggressive like that against Canelo.

Bobby Baccala

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499162#Comment_119499162

The arena is probably gonna be half empty until the main event like most big title fights

smurfjed

The arena is sold out, but they were never going to get people to sit there for over 6 hours.

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499291#Comment_119499291

How much does the arena hold?

smurfjed

I believe 5000 seats, remaining tickets a few days ago were €2500 - 3500.

Bobby Baccala

Surely sky could have got a couple of legends into the studio to comment on the heavyweight world title fight? Froch is unbearable

StevenToast

Who is going to provide us with that magical link tonight??

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499337#Comment_119499337

Legends?

In case u haven't heard, Froch fought in front of 80'000 in Wembley.

What more do you want??? 🙊

AdrianG08

How many more fights after this one?

funkey_monkey

Seems like AJ is only given a chance if he nails him cleanly - basically a punchers chance.

normanoffside

This is poor from Hrgovic against an opponent that recently drew against Jerry Forrest.

One clean punch should finish this fight.

Going for usyk on point's over AJ

Them Saudis need some drinks to liven up the place a bit.