[ BOXING POLL ADDED ] The Rematch - JOSHUA vs USYK II (updated thread)

[aioc]

The only way Joshua will win the fight is if Usyk is having a bad at the office otherwise it will be another loss for Joshua. There is no denying Joshua has the power and the physique to win the fight but there is also no denying that Joshua does not have the skills to regularly beat top fighters. If Usyk does step up and fight even better in the rematch then Joshua will probably be pushed in to retirement.

It's the same situation Joshua faced when he was about to face Ruiz people are thinking that he if is beaten it's over for him but he gave us a big surprise by fully dominating Ruiz, let's give him a benefit of the doubt that he can come out with a big surprise again this time against Usyk, if he loses again he will have to take a long rest, losing to the same guy twice can take a toll on you and you'll lose your legacy.

[robelneo]

The only way Joshua will win the fight is if Usyk is having a bad at the office otherwise it will be another loss for Joshua. There is no denying Joshua has the power and the physique to win the fight but there is also no denying that Joshua does not have the skills to regularly beat top fighters. If Usyk does step up and fight even better in the rematch then Joshua will probably be pushed in to retirement.

Joshua's assignment is the hardest in his career the guy Usyk totally dominated him in their first meeting the kind of domination that takes out everything Joshua has, he needs a different approach now, change his strategy and this time should be the one to dominate Usyk, he should win by knock out or by unanimous decision a split decision will give both of them a third match and Joshua could be in trouble again.

[JollyGood]

I see no reason to give Joshua any benefit because Usyk is technically the better boxer, it is unfair to compare the Ruiz rematch with any potential Usyk rematch because yes it is true Joshua dominated Ruiz and won on points in the rematch but Ruiz was overconfident and overweight going in to the fight already having beaten Joshua and did not fully train - as he admitted later.

Usyk will not lower his standards for the rematch so it will be almost impossible for Joshua to win which means the end of his boxing career. Joshua has the power and physique to beat any fighter but he simply does not have the skills to do it. Wilder, Usyk and Fury are all technically superior to Joshua so it will take a miracle for him to beat Usyk.

It's the same situation Joshua faced when he was about to face Ruiz people are thinking that he if is beaten it's over for him but he gave us a big surprise by fully dominating Ruiz, let's give him a benefit of the doubt that he can come out with a big surprise again this time against Usyk, if he loses again he will have to take a long rest, losing to the same guy twice can take a toll on you and you'll lose your legacy.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Joshua's assignment is the hardest in his career the guy Usyk totally dominated him in their first meeting the kind of domination that takes out everything Joshua has, he needs a different approach now, change his strategy and this time should be the one to dominate Usyk, he should win by knock out or by unanimous decision a split decision will give both of them a third match and Joshua could be in trouble again.

I really think that Joshua has to think very well how he will face USYK, although many say that in boxing the strongest, the fastest, or the one who resists the most and has the best physical conditions wins, very few understand that he Boxing is a sport that has to put a lot of intelligence into it, I have practiced boxing and I have had boxing fights, and clearly you can have the best training, but in the middle of the fight there comes a time when the mind goes blank and you don't know what to do, or where to attack or how to attack, that is why a very good strategy must be made taking advantage of Joshua's physique to take advantage of it, if Joshua fights intelligently if he can beat USYK.

[Welsh]

I see no reason to give Joshua any benefit because Usyk is technically the better boxer, it is unfair to compare the Ruiz rematch with any potential Usyk rematch because yes it is true Joshua dominated Ruiz and won on points in the rematch but Ruiz was overconfident and overweight going in to the fight already having beaten Joshua and did not fully train - as he admitted later.

Yeah, it was a completely different fight. Ruiz looked like he gained quite a few pounds on the night, and also didn't look motivated at all. Plus, Joshua while he did box quite well, avoided any fire fights, and to be honest I think Ruiz has ruined Joshua's confidence in those tight spaces, which actually resulted in Joshua losing against Usyk.

Joshua has always been a fun fighter to watch, not because of his technique or his technical ability at all. We watch Joshua because he always has a chance to knock someone out, and the majority of the time does just that. Now, he looks reluctant, and I'm not even sure what his game plan was, since he walked into that ring, and tried to outbox a boxer he knows is much more technical than him.

The thing is I'm not convinced that Usyk is a heavy puncher at least not compared to the rest of the division, so I think if he can regain that confidence, and risk it like he did against Ruiz in the first fight, he'll end up knocking out Usyk. However, if he approaches it with the idea of showing off his technical ability, he'll get out pointed once again.

[JollyGood]

Has Usyk ever been floored, even when he was Cruiserweight champion?

Sure without doubt if heavy punchers and hard hitters such as Fury, Wilder and Joshua hit Usyk with a ferocious hit then he will be floored but Wilder floored Fury several times even though Fury floored Wilder even more before beating him twice (I would say 3 times because the first fight was a dubious "draw" by the judges when Fury clearly won).

That remains the only real way Joshua could win against Usyk, the ferocious one punch but you hit the nail on the head - why has Joshua been trigger shy on pulling that powerful right punch ever since he met Ruiz for their first fight? Something does not add up because he was not even going for it against Usyk instead he wanted to trade jabs because he had success with it against Ruiz II but completely failed him against Usyk. Just as you, I also saw no game-plan from Joshua in that fight.

Just because he beat Ruiz II he became overconfident again and asked to fight Fury but that was his downfall. Now his whole career teeters on the brink of the Usyk rematch.

I see no reason to give Joshua any benefit because Usyk is technically the better boxer, it is unfair to compare the Ruiz rematch with any potential Usyk rematch because yes it is true Joshua dominated Ruiz and won on points in the rematch but Ruiz was overconfident and overweight going in to the fight already having beaten Joshua and did not fully train - as he admitted later.

Yeah, it was a completely different fight. Ruiz looked like he gained quite a few pounds on the night, and also didn't look motivated at all. Plus, Joshua while he did box quite well, avoided any fire fights, and to be honest I think Ruiz has ruined Joshua's confidence in those tight spaces, which actually resulted in Joshua losing against Usyk.

Joshua has always been a fun fighter to watch, not because of his technique or his technical ability at all. We watch Joshua because he always has a chance to knock someone out, and the majority of the time does just that. Now, he looks reluctant, and I'm not even sure what his game plan was, since he walked into that ring, and tried to outbox a boxer he knows is much more technical than him.

The thing is I'm not convinced that Usyk is a heavy puncher at least not compared to the rest of the division, so I think if he can regain that confidence, and risk it like he did against Ruiz in the first fight, he'll end up knocking out Usyk. However, if he approaches it with the idea of showing off his technical ability, he'll get out pointed once again.

[South Park]

The only way Joshua will win the fight is if Usyk is having a bad at the office otherwise it will be another loss for Joshua. There is no denying Joshua has the power and the physique to win the fight but there is also no denying that Joshua does not have the skills to regularly beat top fighters. If Usyk does step up and fight even better in the rematch then Joshua will probably be pushed in to retirement.

It's the same situation Joshua faced when he was about to face Ruiz people are thinking that he if is beaten it's over for him but he gave us a big surprise by fully dominating Ruiz, let's give him a benefit of the doubt that he can come out with a big surprise again this time against Usyk, if he loses again he will have to take a long rest, losing to the same guy twice can take a toll on you and you'll lose your legacy.

The circumstances need to be taken into account and when we do it is easy to realize things are completely different now, on the first Joshua vs Ruiz fight, Joshua was too heavy, made many strategic mistakes, did not train himself specifically against Ruiz and Ruiz got a lucky punch, the second fight was easily won by Joshua by eliminating his mistakes and Ruiz showing with a lot more weight which denied his best asset, which was his speed of hands.

Usyk is a completely different boxer, he is by far the most technical fighter out of the two, Joshua will need a lucky punch or a cut on the eye of Usyk to level the playing field, and even then I doubt he can get the win.

[JollyGood]

You are right, Usyk is the better fighter far more technical than Joshua and definitely far more experienced too. Based on the first fight and the history of the two fighters I think the rematch will not end in a satisfactory manner for Joshua.

If he loses what happens to his career? If he wins, he will seek a financial blockbuster fight with Fury. This is probably make or break for Joshua as far as his career is concerned.

Usyk is a completely different boxer, he is by far the most technical fighter out of the two, Joshua will need a lucky punch or a cut on the eye of Usyk to level the playing field, and even then I doubt he can get the win.

[Kemarit]

You are right, Usyk is the better fighter far more technical than Joshua and definitely far more experienced too. Based on the first fight and the history of the two fighters I think the rematch will not end in a satisfactory manner for Joshua.

If he loses what happens to his career? If he wins, he will seek a financial blockbuster fight with Fury. This is probably make or break for Joshua as far as his career is concerned.

Usyk is a completely different boxer, he is by far the most technical fighter out of the two, Joshua will need a lucky punch or a cut on the eye of Usyk to level the playing field, and even then I doubt he can get the win.

I think both of them are looking for Fury for their next fight because it's going to be lucrative specially for Anthony Joshua that's why this is a must win for him. Not sure if there are going to be a rematch clause though so maybe we will see a 3rd fight and then Fury goes to fight another boxer not name Joshua or Usyk.

Anyone heard though as to who will be Joshua's next trainer? Did he choose already?

[JollyGood]

Fury is where the money is therefore it makes sense for all the fighters to try to get in the ring with him. If any of the top boxers want to make a huge payday or the biggest payday they can make then it seems all road lead to Fury.....

You are right, Usyk is the better fighter far more technical than Joshua and definitely far more experienced too. Based on the first fight and the history of the two fighters I think the rematch will not end in a satisfactory manner for Joshua.

If he loses what happens to his career? If he wins, he will seek a financial blockbuster fight with Fury. This is probably make or break for Joshua as far as his career is concerned.

Usyk is a completely different boxer, he is by far the most technical fighter out of the two, Joshua will need a lucky punch or a cut on the eye of Usyk to level the playing field, and even then I doubt he can get the win.

I think both of them are looking for Fury for their next fight because it's going to be lucrative specially for Anthony Joshua that's why this is a must win for him. Not sure if there are going to be a rematch clause though so maybe we will see a 3rd fight and then Fury goes to fight another boxer not name Joshua or Usyk.

Anyone heard though as to who will be Joshua's next trainer? Did he choose already?

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

You are right, Usyk is the better fighter far more technical than Joshua and definitely far more experienced too. Based on the first fight and the history of the two fighters I think the rematch will not end in a satisfactory manner for Joshua.

If he loses what happens to his career? If he wins, he will seek a financial blockbuster fight with Fury. This is probably make or break for Joshua as far as his career is concerned.

Usyk is a completely different boxer, he is by far the most technical fighter out of the two, Joshua will need a lucky punch or a cut on the eye of Usyk to level the playing field, and even then I doubt he can get the win.

Anyone heard though as to who will be Joshua's next trainer? Did he choose already?

No reports whatsoever, I speculate that he will make the decision next year as to who is going to pick as his new trainer for the Usyk rematch.

Really boils down as how AJ will really have to react to the new trainer, usually if backfires though, but let's see this time. He really needs to win this fight to force a rubber match or go directly to Fury for one of the biggest fights next year in British history.

[South Park]

Fury is where the money is therefore it makes sense for all the fighters to try to get in the ring with him. If any of the top boxers want to make a huge payday or the biggest payday they can make then it seems all road lead to Fury.....

Correct, but it is not only that, for a long time fans have been wanting to see a match to get an undisputed champion on the heavyweight division but due to different circumstances it has not been possible to arrange it, so the shortest path for us to see it would be for Usyk to beat Joshua again and then enter negotiations with Fury’s camp, this way we could see that fight next year, still there is the possibility that Usyk could prefer to at least hold another fight or two against different opponents before facing Fury so we may not get the fight as soon as we want.

[JollyGood]

Joshua was on to a money jackpot to face Fury if he beat Usyk but the fact he was completely outclassed by Usyk shows Joshua would never be able to stand up to the fire-power of Fury or even Wilder for that matter.

I do not believe Joshua would get enter the ring with Fury or anybody else to settle scores over verbal attacks or anything else - it has to be about the money, if the purse strings are heavy then any boxer will fight any boxer that is a fact. Look at the way social media stars are getting in on the bandwagon and actually fighting professional boxers are both are getting paid huge amount of money.

Joshua is already more rich than he could ever have imagined but his legacy is in tatters unless he defeats Usyk and then tries to fight Fury. If anything else happens he will be simply remembered for defeating fighters that were in his scope to be beaten but was beaten and outclassed by fighters that showed him to be less technical when paired up against Ruiz and Usyk.

What would be the point of Fury vs Joshua going ahead if there was no heavyweight title at stake? I have a suspicion the fight will not go ahead even if Joshua beats Usyk there is no demand in the masses to watch Fury vs Joshua now. It is time for up and coming fighters to have their moment in the ring.

Fury is where the money is therefore it makes sense for all the fighters to try to get in the ring with him. If any of the top boxers want to make a huge payday or the biggest payday they can make then it seems all road lead to Fury.....

Correct, but it is not only that, for a long time fans have been wanting to see a match to get an undisputed champion on the heavyweight division but due to different circumstances it has not been possible to arrange it, so the shortest path for us to see it would be for Usyk to beat Joshua again and then enter negotiations with Fury’s camp, this way we could see that fight next year, still there is the possibility that Usyk could prefer to at least hold another fight or two against different opponents before facing Fury so we may not get the fight as soon as we want.

[TravelMug]

Fury is where the money is therefore it makes sense for all the fighters to try to get in the ring with him. If any of the top boxers want to make a huge payday or the biggest payday they can make then it seems all road lead to Fury.....

Correct, but it is not only that, for a long time fans have been wanting to see a match to get an undisputed champion on the heavyweight division but due to different circumstances it has not been possible to arrange it, so the shortest path for us to see it would be for Usyk to beat Joshua again and then enter negotiations with Fury’s camp, this way we could see that fight next year, still there is the possibility that Usyk could prefer to at least hold another fight or two against different opponents before facing Fury so we may not get the fight as soon as we want.

But it will make sense for Usyk to go directly to Fury for unification and big money fights next year.

I reckon that this is going to be the path they are going, and not risk of fighting anyone for less money and who knows, there could be upset.

As for AJ, obviously, he needs to win convincingly against a very technical fighter in Usyk just to put his name on the contention for a Fury fight in London and again, probably his biggest paycheck. But we all know that he is going to lose to Fury anyway.

[yazher]

But it will make sense for Usyk to go directly to Fury for unification and big money fights next year.

I reckon that this is going to be the path they are going, and not risk of fighting anyone for less money and who knows, there could be upset.

As for AJ, obviously, he needs to win convincingly against a very technical fighter in Usyk just to put his name on the contention for a Fury fight in London and again, probably his biggest paycheck. But we all know that he is going to lose to Fury anyway.

It would be a good fight if they managed to make a good deal and promote the fight with Fury but as we know, the negotiation will take too long since both teams wanted to get the best of it. More likely the fight Joshua will be possible again next year because this won't take a lot of negotiation because Joshua wanted to regain back his honor and prove that he is the comeback king of the heavyweight division.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

But it will make sense for Usyk to go directly to Fury for unification and big money fights next year.

I reckon that this is going to be the path they are going, and not risk of fighting anyone for less money and who knows, there could be upset.

As for AJ, obviously, he needs to win convincingly against a very technical fighter in Usyk just to put his name on the contention for a Fury fight in London and again, probably his biggest paycheck. But we all know that he is going to lose to Fury anyway.

It would be a good fight if they managed to make a good deal and promote the fight with Fury but as we know, the negotiation will take too long since both teams wanted to get the best of it. More likely the fight Joshua will be possible again next year because this won't take a lot of negotiation because Joshua wanted to regain back his honor and prove that he is the comeback king of the heavyweight division.

Joshua needs to win first against Usyk before he can talk about a possible fight with Fury.

For sure this will be a good and money fight for both, but I reckon it won't be a 50/50 fight. Fury is going to be the A-side so most probably he will get the biggest of the purse. But Joshua should look at Usyk on their rematch he has a big task ahead of him and should have a good plan on how to beat Usyk by decision, or better yet, by a big knock out.

[Davidvictorson]

But it will make sense for Usyk to go directly to Fury for unification and big money fights next year.

I reckon that this is going to be the path they are going, and not risk of fighting anyone for less money and who knows, there could be upset.

As for AJ, obviously, he needs to win convincingly against a very technical fighter in Usyk just to put his name on the contention for a Fury fight in London and again, probably his biggest paycheck. But we all know that he is going to lose to Fury anyway.

It would be a good fight if they managed to make a good deal and promote the fight with Fury but as we know, the negotiation will take too long since both teams wanted to get the best of it. More likely the fight Joshua will be possible again next year because this won't take a lot of negotiation because Joshua wanted to regain back his honor and prove that he is the comeback king of the heavyweight division.

Joshua needs to win first against Usyk before he can talk about a possible fight with Fury.

For sure this will be a good and money fight for both, but I reckon it won't be a 50/50 fight. Fury is going to be the A-side so most probably he will get the biggest of the purse. But Joshua should look at Usyk on their rematch he has a big task ahead of him and should have a good plan on how to beat Usyk by decision, or better yet, by a big knock out.

The AJ who fought Klitschko would beat Olexsandr Usyk.. the game plan was all wrong and he came un-stuck, the truth about Usyk is he is much bigger than people credit him for plus there is no one who could out box him, fairplay to AJ for having a go but having a go is not using his smarts to beat him, AJ needs controlled aggression to win this rematch, for 1st 5-6 rounds he needs to hit that body hard and break Usyk down, take his legs from under him and then set him up for that signature AJ uppercut.

[JollyGood]

Usyk needs to defeat Joshua in the rematch before any potential fight with Fury can take place. The rematch clause was inserted to protect the champions therefore Joshua still can try to get his reputation and legacy back but Usyk will probably win again.

There was talk about Joshua willing to accept $40 million from Fury to step aide and allow Fury to fight Usyk with a guarantee he would be able to fight Fury next but that did not transpire because Fury is willing to fight anybody as long as the money is on the table and if he is forced by the governing body, he has nothing to prove to anybody. It is Joshua that needs to beat Usyk to prove himself a worthy contender to face Fury but right now with Wilder out of the way and Joshua already beaten it is Usyk stands as the only worthy contender to face Fury. Unfortunately for him, if they ever meet in the ring I think Fury will either punish him all the way to 12 rounds and win on points or he will simply knock him out within 2-3 rounds.

Fury is where the money is therefore it makes sense for all the fighters to try to get in the ring with him. If any of the top boxers want to make a huge payday or the biggest payday they can make then it seems all road lead to Fury.....

Correct, but it is not only that, for a long time fans have been wanting to see a match to get an undisputed champion on the heavyweight division but due to different circumstances it has not been possible to arrange it, so the shortest path for us to see it would be for Usyk to beat Joshua again and then enter negotiations with Fury’s camp, this way we could see that fight next year, still there is the possibility that Usyk could prefer to at least hold another fight or two against different opponents before facing Fury so we may not get the fight as soon as we want.

But it will make sense for Usyk to go directly to Fury for unification and big money fights next year.

I reckon that this is going to be the path they are going, and not risk of fighting anyone for less money and who knows, there could be upset.

As for AJ, obviously, he needs to win convincingly against a very technical fighter in Usyk just to put his name on the contention for a Fury fight in London and again, probably his biggest paycheck. But we all know that he is going to lose to Fury anyway.

[South Park]

snip

it is Usyk stands as the only worthy contender to face Fury. Unfortunately for him, if they ever meet in the ring I think Fury will either punish him all the way to 12 rounds and win on points or he will simply knock him out within 2-3 rounds.

It is because of this I think that in the case Usyk beats Joshua, which is the most likely scenario, Usyk will not go for the fight against Fury immediately, he needs more experience and to refine his technique even more if he wants to beat Fury, the difference in their size is significant and Fury will use it to his full advantage, now even if Usyk took that time there is no guarantee he will beat Fury, but at least I think his chances will improve slightly, so there is a chance that is the path he will follow.

[Maslate]

snip

it is Usyk stands as the only worthy contender to face Fury. Unfortunately for him, if they ever meet in the ring I think Fury will either punish him all the way to 12 rounds and win on points or he will simply knock him out within 2-3 rounds.

It is because of this I think that in the case Usyk beats Joshua, which is the most likely scenario, Usyk will not go for the fight against Fury immediately, he needs more experience and to refine his technique even more if he wants to beat Fury, the difference in their size is significant and Fury will use it to his full advantage, now even if Usyk took that time there is no guarantee he will beat Fury, but at least I think his chances will improve slightly, so there is a chance that is the path he will follow.

The most popular boxers in his division now are Joshua and Fury only (counting out Wilder), if he gets a rematch with Joshua, then that is good for him as he would still make big money, but if not, he should not waste the opportunity and take on the best fighter in heavyweight division.