I anticipate AJ has lost some weight and that should help on stamina but obviously not punching weight. On the other hand Usyk I guess will be putting on a few pounds which will have the opposite effect on him.
Yeah you're right it I just think Joshua carries way to much muscle and might well get tired first...
Really tricky fight to call for me. Everything historically suggests Joshua will win. He should be too heavy. If he was smart, he'd box but lean on him for 7 or 8 rounds too when the chance arises, sap his energy. Lennox Lewis him basically. He's a better boxer Joshua than some realise, for all he's a bit robotic when he puts too much muscle on. I'm just not sure Joshua is that smart. I think he will revert to type and get over aggressive, punch himself out or knock Usyk out. Usyk may not carry loads of power at the weight, but make no mistake he can knock Joshua out if Joshua does get over aggressive. Joshua can gas himself, and you don't need loads of power, just speed and timing when fighters tire. Usyk has that in abundance and stamina to carry into the later rounds. Equally though, an aggressive Joshua landing on Usyk is going to be a problem because regardless if the guy is a bit of a bell end, Joshua does bang. I can see why Hearn was so keen to get the unification fight done with Fury before this mandatory. Its a problem for Joshua this one, so I hope he's kept that muscle off, he looked far better for dropping some and moved a lot better. Be interesting but if I had to put my money down, I think I'd be edging towards a stoppage for Usyk after round 8. Just got a feeling that Joshua is not 100% focused on this fight.
He’s come in at a career low of 16 stone 4. That’s a big drop and could help him move around faster but it has to reduce his power. Usyk is moving the other way. He already was fast on his feet (cruiser weight) but might have lost some of the speed with the extra weight. He looks in good Nick mind. Usyk is a handy boxer and AH has prepared accordingly. Losing the weight gives Usyk the respect that he deserves. Thing is Usyk can actually take a punch and will get up close to AJ meaning AJ won’t be able to throw the heavy punches. Still AJ should win this.
I actually think Joshua has a bigger punch at lower weights. The muscle isn't active muscle, its not useful muscle when he gets heavy. Its for photo shoots not boxing. Conor McGregor hasn't realised this yet either. Joshua to his credit does seem to have moved the other way for the last few. For my money in boxing, timing and speed are far more important in assessing power. The best punches are the ones you see less of. When Joshua gets big, yes the weight of the punches are heavier, but they are robotic and easy to see coming. They still hurt, the guy is a monster physically. But if you are talking about concussing someone, I think Joshua is a much much bigger punching threat when those punches are more relaxed and have snap. You see it in his jab especially. If you look at the punch which ****ed up Pulev, it was pretty quick. It stands to reason the slower a punch, the less it hurts because you are going to be moving away as it connects. A fast one lands square on. Definitely is a concern for Usyk if he has got carried away about taking Joshua's weight. If he has piled on (and his neck looked noticeably bigger to me which is always a bad sign), he might find himself in a horrible place regardless of his skills. You'll know early if Usyk's punches looked laboured. That could make an easy night for Joshua. I suppose I just assume a great coach like Lomachenko wouldn't make such an error.
Always a worry when he’s at his heaviest and just stepped up and AJ is at his lightest and always been at that level. Time will tell. Usyk doesn’t really do big BIG punches and relies on getting in close and chipping away. Joshuas chin is always suspect. Still can only really see it going one way.
Joshua weighed in 17 st 2, Usyk 15st 11. Both made it out like they'd be considerably different in weight, both playing mind games.
I'm sick of hearing about his mother's philosophies. It's boxing I want them telling their opponent they want to eat their kids etc.
Everyone into the Forgotten Lands, Consett, and into Chippy’s mud hut and Chippy can buy it whilst he’s away on holiday.
