What about the possibility that Usyk mugs AJ early? Goes out and right from start throws his best shots and lands clean......
AJs chin, or more his reaction to being clipped/hurt is a little bit vulnerable.......Similar to Khan....
I just don't see this, I could be wrong. But I think alot of fans have Usyk down as just another overhyped Eastern European fighter who is really stepping up in class.
Also this talk of AJ coming in leaner helping his stamina, Usyk would be best advised to work every minute of every round to test this theory. Some guys just naturally have a poor gas tank, no matter what they weigh, how well they train. Some are built for speed and destruction, others are built for endurance, Usyk is definitely the latter.
I don't doubt AJ can go 12 rounds, but its usually at his own pace. The worry for AJ is that i'd imagine Usyk will feel him out for 3-4 rounds and then maybe start stepping on the gas, and by stepping on the gas I don't mean throwing the kitchen sink at him, I mean moving him around, having AJ chasing shadows trying to land something meaningful.
Usyk is an elite level fighter and I don't envisage AJ walking through him like some say he will, but Usyk is a slow starter, i'd be in AJs ear to get in there and catch him cold, I wonder if all this talk about slimming down and trying to box him is a bit of a ruse, and he will rush him from the bell.
i am probably way off but i see it being cagey enough for say 4 rounds, Aj gets to him a little in 5 & 6 and its all over by 8 at the latest, knock out.
These two key questions could well be what decides this fight: 1. Can Usyk take the power? 2: Can he avoid it (if not able for it)?
Problem I see that he could have is that he ends up doing a Parker on it, and spoiling to avoid the power, resulting in very little offence
Similar to his LW stablemate, Lomachenko when Lomachenko met Lopez. Spending large parts the fight not wanting to taste any power. In a shell, and losing rds
I don't buy either these excuses....AVP is one tough man, whatever juice he was or was not on; and nobody can know what he was on at any time. I do not believe that it has been established that AVP was juicing in the Wlad fight.
Anyway, just look at the impact of the shots and this will tell you that AJ is very heavy handed. Look at the impact on the Pulev KO shot...
AJs KO percentage is very high. His visible power is very clear. I don't think he at all overrated as a puncher. He is a big puncher.
Wouldn't deny he's a heavy hitter at all (he definitely is) just don't think he's this elite puncher that saws through top level fighters that he's being hyped up to be.
More of a decent puncher, great finisher for me. I just think he's going to find it much more difficult to pin Usyk down and hurt him than many on here believe. The Chisora fight played out in a completely different style to how this one will go.
I agree for the most part but lets not forget Wlad fought a 34 year old AVP on the Jesus juice , AJ fought a 39 year old AVP off the Jesus juice ,
AJ is quite a heavy hitter....giving examples where he didn't take guys out doesn't change that. The chap has heavy hands. Look what he did to many, including a very tough Povetkin. Pulverized him with power shots. Wlad couldn't do that. AJ is circa 245 lbs of size and weight and power, and he knows how to throw power shots. He has very good punch mechanics.
Ruiz has a solid beard. AJ decided to box him for 12 rds in fight 2. Takam was deservedly stopped. He was quite staggered and hurt
Parker ran and spoiled for 12 rds
I just can't see Usyk dealing with the size and power, I think Aj makes it look easy ,
Lack of power is a huge disadvantage & his normal stellar gas tank will be depleted from taking heavy shots,
I hope im wrong and Usyk wins but i just don't think he transfers well into being a heavy weight ,
My main worries around Usyk would be how inactive and how many injuries he's had of late. His body feels like it could break down at any stage and he can't afford to pick up an injury in there on Saturday night like he did against Chisora. The fact he's linked back up with Anatoly Lomachenko makes me think he'll be on song for this one though. Also cornered him for his career best performance against Gassiev.
If AJ himself thought he'd walk through Usyk would he not have come in heavier and look to finish it early?
Joshua is an overrated puncher. Couldn't put a dent in Ruiz, Parker, Takam (awful stoppage). It's heavyweight boxing so there's always a chance but I'd be surprised if this fight doesn't go rounds.
would Ruiz not be the most comparable to Usyk, smaller man, better movement, faster hands?
I expect AJ to walk through Usyk, but if it doesnt go his way early it could be an interesting scrap.
Excellent point in relation to AJ potentially not having to work as hard, once Usyk feels his power, being so wary of it will have to affect his offence.
I would argue though that Usyk is the better boxer, not markedly so, but there is a difference in quality. Now AJ's size may render that obsolete, as has happened with many a smaller man moving up.
I just think the skill level with todays heavys is so low (Fury is probably most skillful so the bar is low) that Usyk has a real chance in that AJ won't have faced anything like him. Its incomparable with any of his previous fights, although the Parker fight may be the closest, albeit Usyk will definitely give a better account of himself than Parker.
I'm contradicting my previous post (where I said AJ needed to come in big and pour it on for 4 rounds), there is method in preparing for 12 round fight by AJ, I expect that Usyk believes his best chance is points win or late stoppage.
Its a fascinating fight, don't expect it to be a classic but the tactical battle will be very interesting. Firmly believe its a good big un v. a great little un.
I think a possible issue here for Usyk could be that he tastes the power and it affects his own offense.
We could see Usyk spending large parts of the fight defending and spoiling, with AJ not having to work too hard, and controlling the flow.
Another thing: folks seem to think Usyk is clearly the better boxer. Nonsense. AJ can absolutely box with anyone. There should be no surprise to see AJ deservedly win on points whilst out-boxing Usyk. Remember, he has height, reach, power advantages.
AJ was ahead on points against Wlad 4 years ago, and Wlad could still box very well.
Yeah I think Joshua coming in light shows how difficult he knows it's going to be to hurt Usyk and that this fight more than likely goes rounds. He doesn't want to be carrying all that excess muscle in the latter rounds which naturally leads to fatigue like we saw against Klitschko.
Always fancied Usyk to win this and still do but very intrigued to see who the ref & judges are.
I agree that it'd serve him well, but he said he worried about being too big and fatiguing against Usyk, noting that he's facing a 15 round fighter.
A part of me thinks he'll have enough size at 240 to balance longevity and power. Any attempt to out-manoeuvre Usyk is almost guaranteed to fail.
Actually think AJ's best move was to come in big (well his usual size) and win it in first 4 rounds. Make that size and weight advantage count.
Usyk is coming up to his weightclass, coming in leaner hints at him trying to box Usyk which is the wrong move in my opinion.
Whenever I hear Joshua speak, I hear a fella absolutely riddled with self doubt and doing his absolute best to talk up how much he loves a scrap, loves adversity etc.... its like he has become an amateur philosopher with some of the stuff he spouts.
But honestly, fair play for taking this fight, in fairness id say he'd have lost one of his belts if he didn't take it, this will be a real test.
He was 240 last time out ,so id say your almost spot on
Can't see him being 235 or under,
I reckon Usyk will be 219/20 lbs just up on last time ( i think he was 217lbs ) it's what 10/11 months on so i'd say had time to get used to carrying more weight,
Any guesses on AJs weight and Usyk's?
AJ looking leaner and less bulky this time. Something he has spoken about for this fight
I think he may be sub 240 lbs for this...possibly 237/238
I see Wilder had Helenius in as a sparring partner,
Not sure if it will help him much but he is a decent heavy weight ,
If Covid didn't derail things I'd be confident on Usyk springing the upset. Now I am not so sure. Usyk is 34 and with a style like his it is going to be a factor. His cardio and gas tank is like nothing I've seen in a long while for a big lad so maybe it won't matter too much. I think he has good whiskers although Joshua definitely hits as hard as anyone he's faced. Usyk definitely allows himself to get hit but one of his biggest strengths is being able to ride a punch well. Even if he's too late to dodge a punch he's nearly always telegraphed it by the time it lands so he gets away with it. It's a great fight, I've never enjoyed Joshua as a fighter or as a persona, whereas Usyk is hilarious and one of the most satisfying boxers to watch since his amateur days.
I'm afraid that Usyk will need a stoppage or a shutout to get a win though. Everyone knows the Joshua/Fury fight is the one, and Usyk winning **** everything. Hopefully I am wrong but I don't think so...
Very eloquent from Blanco there but the last person I saw saying that was Audly Harrison. I enjoy Usyk but this talk of greatness I feel is sill premature. Undisputed CW champion is impressive and there was no one to threaten him left there but was that division that strong during his era? He looks nothing like great at HW. I’d love to be wrong but I think that Joshua will catch up with him and it will be a brutal ko after a few rounds of Usyk looking clean and tidy. I was thinking 7-9. If Usyk can stay out of clinches that long.
The rest of the card is dirt. Betting odds are about 1/10 at best which says enough. Hopefully there will be at least one big upset to make things interesting.
I got my weeks messed up and thought it was tomorrow. Gutted.
I was very much thinking AJ blasts Usyk away a few months back. Now I am thinking the fight could be closer.
It won't be a big shock if Usyk beats him. If Usyk can be slippy enough to avoid heavy leather, he is more than capable of being competitive, and AJ has not got a great chin. Look how he has reacted in the past from shots....Usyk isn't dynamite, but he can still punch a little....
I will go with AJ inside 5 rounds via KO, because I believe he has the perfect blend of size, speed, variation and very good power to land on Usyk cleanly. AJ will also be physically stronger in the clinch, as well as very dangerous in close.
Usyk could surprise me if he can take the firepower, and if he can, then he is in with a rea good shout via points or stoppage
Intriguing fight. And if not, sure at least we have Campbell Hatton to look forward to......
Fair play to Joshua for taking this fight. Its a real banana skin. He won't have faced anyone as skillful as Usyk.
Size differential yes, but he needs to be in range. Agree with Walshb about Chisora, he makes anyone look awful, and I actually give Usyk credit for taking that fight as hes the last guy i'd fight if I wanted to look good.
I think AJ needs to get the job done early to be honest, if Usyk settles and adjusts then he could potentially really school AJ. Expecting Joshua to take over after the mid rounds against a guy like Usyk who has an unlimited gas tank, is wishful thinking. Joshua won't have experienced the movement of Usyk before, its a fascinating fight. Don't forget Ruiz is not a noted puncher and had AJ seeing stars, not outlandish to think Usyk could KO AJ in a heavyweight bout, where guys are bigger but not as skilled in fairness.
They say a good big un always beats a good little un. I think we are seeing a good big un against a great little un, thats what makes it fascinating for me.
Chisora found Usyk regularly in there so there is no reason Whyte can't &he hits harder,
Yes Chisora fights differently but we seen in Whyte v Chisroa 1 that Whyte could fight Chisora at his own game and win
Honestly until Usyk does something at heavyweight i can't see how anyone can back him ,
The AJ fight could change that & i hope Usyk wins to be honest,
That my thoughts anyway
I don't think wearing Usyk down will work for Whyte. Usyk has excellent feet and conditioning....these two traits are exactly what do not allow a plodder like Whyte do what you are saying...
I don't think Whyte is great myself but as i said Usyk hasn't show anything in his first 2 heavy weight fights ,
In my opinion Whyte will come after him and wear him down and stop him within 9 , Usyk will start well for 2 rounds or 3 rounds but his lack of power will start to tell as Whyte becomes less cautious & starts to get to him,
Now of course that could all changed if Usyk shows us something we haven't seen yet against AJ
My opinion is based on what we have seen at heavy weight so far,
Can't wait for that one. I don't think I've been more excited about a rematch since Bellew vs Cleverly 2.
Parker-Chisora II on DAZN Dec 18....gives me the fooking shivers!!!!!
Whyte stops Usyk in 9?
Surely if Usyk is going 9 rds, then he is in the fight and likely landing more than Whyte?
If you mean he stops him via a big shot, so be it....but I alluded to this already. It is his only chance
And he's hardly a giant....about same height as Usyk, and fat.......
Giants are AJ/WLAD/Vitali/Fury et al. Big men....not just heavy men due to them being fat.....
Dillian Whyte is not that good.....he really isn't...an Usyk with his feet, stamina, volume and belief is a bad match for Dillian Whyte...
