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

[JollyGood]

Most definitely. If Joshua actually uses the tools at his disposal to the best of his advantage then the odds against him winning would increase. As you mentioned, his left jab which he used effectively to disrupt Ruiz in their rematch was almost non-existent when he lost to Usyk.

Fury used his body weight to push and lean on Wilder when he defeated him, he used his jab with devastating effect too. If Joshua could do that then the rematch against Usyk will be more competitive. I remember when Usyk defeated Joshua that he did not allow Joshua to use his size advantage to bully him in the ring and that was because technically he was far too superior too for Joshua therefore we are back to the only possible way Joshua can win and that is by knockout and only IF he managed to catch Usyk with an unexpected massive punch.

And it is why people have so little faith in Joshua pulling the win against Usyk, if Joshua could use the tools he has at his disposal like his size advantage he could have a chance as he could keep Usyk at a comfortable distance if he could use his jab effectively and then counterpunch Usyk when he tried to get the fight into a closer range, but Joshua cannot do this so it is clear the only viable strategy is to go for an early KO, and even that strategy as you say is almost impossible to use against Usyk as well.

[Silberman]

Most definitely. If Joshua actually uses the tools at his disposal to the best of his advantage then the odds against him winning would increase. As you mentioned, his left jab which he used effectively to disrupt Ruiz in their rematch was almost non-existent when he lost to Usyk.

Fury used his body weight to push and lean on Wilder when he defeated him, he used his jab with devastating effect too. If Joshua could do that then the rematch against Usyk will be more competitive. I remember when Usyk defeated Joshua that he did not allow Joshua to use his size advantage to bully him in the ring and that was because technically he was far too superior too for Joshua therefore we are back to the only possible way Joshua can win and that is by knockout and only IF he managed to catch Usyk with an unexpected massive punch.

And it is why people have so little faith in Joshua pulling the win against Usyk, if Joshua could use the tools he has at his disposal like his size advantage he could have a chance as he could keep Usyk at a comfortable distance if he could use his jab effectively and then counterpunch Usyk when he tried to get the fight into a closer range, but Joshua cannot do this so it is clear the only viable strategy is to go for an early KO, and even that strategy as you say is almost impossible to use against Usyk as well.

And that is the main problem for Joshua, on the lighter divisions great technical fighters are relatively common, but on the heavyweight division this is not common and when they appear they dominate the division, Ruiz is not even that technical but he has fast hands and gave a lot of trouble to Joshua during the first fight, Usyk is in a whole other level, which explains why Joshua during the first fight found no answers at all to deal with him and why we doubt he will during the second fight against Usyk.

[Welsh]

I mean, Joshua isn't the usual boxer. He isn't going to outbox Usyk. However, he can definitely knock his head off. I've said it before, but Joshua since that first Ruiz fight isn't the same boxer. Joshua used to be quite scary in those brawls, and the last time he looked like that was when he got caught by Ruiz, and ultimately finished.

He avoids those sort of gun fights now, and looks to keep the distance, and use his reach advantage, but that doesn't work when your opponent knows how to get in on the inside. Ruiz the second time didn't, probably because it looked like he lost all motivation after achieving something he probably thought was out of reach. He was noticeably larger, and didn't have that same determination to close the gap.

Usyk will, and did last time. The thing is he's also quite a light heavy weight, and can pop in, sting you, and then get back out again. Joshua hasn't got the distance management or the skill set to stop that from happening, at least if we are to judge it based on the times he has tried to box rather than knock out his opponent.

I'm hoping Joshua goes back to his roots, and looks to take his head off, as that'll make a interesting fight. Otherwise, we're just going to see more of the same as the last fight.

[JollyGood]

And that is the main problem for Joshua, on the lighter divisions great technical fighters are relatively common, but on the heavyweight division this is not common and when they appear they dominate the division, Ruiz is not even that technical but he has fast hands and gave a lot of trouble to Joshua during the first fight, Usyk is in a whole other level, which explains why Joshua during the first fight found no answers at all to deal with him and why we doubt he will during the second fight against Usyk.

Ruiz definitely has lightening fast hands and that caused Joshua problems when he was knocked out by Ruiz. In the rematch, Ruiz was not in his best shape because of the partying and late nights, he stated later his weight was not ideal and he was training half-heartedly. In all honesty, how many of us can say a fully fit and focused Ruiz would have lost to a fully fit and focused Joshua in the rematch?

Have to agree, Usyk is on a completely different level that is why Joshua is not being given much hope of winning.

I mean, Joshua isn't the usual boxer. He isn't going to outbox Usyk. However, he can definitely knock his head off. I've said it before, but Joshua since that first Ruiz fight isn't the same boxer. Joshua used to be quite scary in those brawls, and the last time he looked like that was when he got caught by Ruiz, and ultimately finished.

He avoids those sort of gun fights now, and looks to keep the distance, and use his reach advantage, but that doesn't work when your opponent knows how to get in on the inside. Ruiz the second time didn't, probably because it looked like he lost all motivation after achieving something he probably thought was out of reach. He was noticeably larger, and didn't have that same determination to close the gap.

Usyk will, and did last time. The thing is he's also quite a light heavy weight, and can pop in, sting you, and then get back out again. Joshua hasn't got the distance management or the skill set to stop that from happening, at least if we are to judge it based on the times he has tried to box rather than knock out his opponent.

I'm hoping Joshua goes back to his roots, and looks to take his head off, as that'll make a interesting fight. Otherwise, we're just going to see more of the same as the last fight.

I commented the same. Ever since Ruiz knocked him out, Joshua seems to be making a different fight where he avoids going for the knockout punches. He avoids brawls instead trying to keep some distance - that is strange to see. If Joshua does come out swinging trying to disrupt Usyk then yes definitely it will make it an interesting fight otherwise Usyk will dominate the fight and Usyk will retain the belts he won in the first fight.

I mentioned before, I think Usyk will win by knockout within 4-5 rounds. Usyk looks in absolutely stunning shape when he was filmed practising in the ring with his trainer. He is completely focused on the fight showing nothing at all in fear and has a complete desire to win. I feel sorry for Joshua because Usyk looks far more dangerous than he did when they met last year.

[btc_angela]

^^ And if I'm not mistaken, it was him or his previous trainer who admitted that they are using this strategy in their fight against Usyk. But it back fired on them big time as how the hell he can outbox a technical fighter? And then Joshua commenting that no one in his corner is telling him what's going on, whether he is winning or losing the fight. And that's why he didn't pressed on the championship rounds as he thinks he is ahead on the judges scorecard, which is very wrong. Garcia though is known to give a lot of feedbacks after every round, he can hear him cursing to motivated his fighters on what to do. I expect something like this in the Usyk fight, more blatant language to fire up Joshua.

[JollyGood]

The poll is much closer than I would have imagined. Right now 66.7% are going for a Usyk win whereas 33.3% are going for a Joshua win and that confuses me because there seems to a belief that Joshua just might be able to overcome Usyk.

I see Joshua having zero chance against Usyk but the poll shows 20 votes in favour of Usyk and 10 votes for Joshua. I hope there more participants in the vote in the coming days.

Usyk looks like a man on a mission with the support of the world behind him:

[Daltonik]

Yes, now before the rematch, all odds are in favor of Usyk and if he manages to maintain speed in the upcoming fight, he will most likely be able to retain the title, but Joshua's team is probably preparing for a fight in order to deprive Usyk of his main advantage - speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHeTxTB4fBc&t=480s

[JollyGood]

Does Joshua even have the discipline to implement the changes to his style that might increase his speed while depriving Usyk of his? He is 33 years old, he came to the boxing world too late at the age of 15 and that is part of his problem. Joshua is not a natural fighter, he can defeat the likes of Whyte and Parker based on his size and power but is he really technically better that Whyte? Yes probably. Even though he defeated Parker on a points decision is he really technically better than Parker today? Probably not.

Does Joshua really have a ruthless streak in him to win if he gets in to the ring with a fully fit and focused Ruiz, Wilder, Usyk or Fury? I think it is clear he does not.

Yes, now before the rematch, all odds are in favor of Usyk and if he manages to maintain speed in the upcoming fight, he will most likely be able to retain the title, but Joshua's team is probably preparing for a fight in order to deprive Usyk of his main advantage - speed.

[TopTort777]

The poll is much closer than I would have imagined. Right now 66.7% are going for a Usyk win whereas 33.3% are going for a Joshua win and that confuses me because there seems to a belief that Joshua just might be able to overcome Usyk.

I see Joshua having zero chance against Usyk but the poll shows 20 votes in favour of Usyk and 10 votes for Joshua. I hope there more participants in the vote in the coming days.

Usyk looks like a man on a mission with the support of the world behind him:

I hope that if the fight goes full distance and judges are to decide who is the winner, if the fight was very close, then judges wont give a victory to Usyk "only because he is from Ukraine, and Ukraine has hard time now". Dont turn boxing into Eurovision song contest. If Usyk wasnt able to KO, then he would better be dominant and win fairy. Dont want to see politics involved into sport.

[JollyGood]

Highly unlikely but possible it will go 12 rounds but there is a danger that if Joshua performs a miracle and wins on points it could be a Eurovision style issue where Usyk wins when everybody knows he lost. I think a similarity would be like when Fury won the first fight against Wilder but it was awarded as a draw on the night.

I hope that if the fight goes full distance and judges are to decide who is the winner, if the fight was very close, then judges wont give a victory to Usyk "only because he is from Ukraine, and Ukraine has hard time now". Dont turn boxing into Eurovision song contest. If Usyk wasnt able to KO, then he would better be dominant and win fairy. Dont want to see politics involved into sport.

[Yaunfitda]

Highly unlikely but possible it will go 12 rounds but there is a danger that if Joshua performs a miracle and wins on points it could be a Eurovision style issue where Usyk wins when everybody knows he lost. I think a similarity would be like when Fury won the first fight against Wilder but it was awarded as a draw on the night.

I hope that if the fight goes full distance and judges are to decide who is the winner, if the fight was very close, then judges wont give a victory to Usyk "only because he is from Ukraine, and Ukraine has hard time now". Dont turn boxing into Eurovision song contest. If Usyk wasnt able to KO, then he would better be dominant and win fairy. Dont want to see politics involved into sport.

I would also like to see the fight going into a full 12 rounds. Joshua and his new trainer is preaching that they have developed Joshua so we wanted to see what this is though. Does he turn a good boxer, or just used his superior strength and power to overwhelm Usyk. I think the judges can't messed this up, this is a bigger fight, they better award the score to the rightful winner.

[Daltonik]

Does Joshua even have the discipline to implement the changes to his style that might increase his speed while depriving Usyk of his? He is 33 years old, he came to the boxing world too late at the age of 15 and that is part of his problem. Joshua is not a natural fighter, he can defeat the likes of Whyte and Parker based on his size and power but is he really technically better that Whyte? Yes probably. Even though he defeated Parker on a points decision is he really technically better than Parker today? Probably not.

Does Joshua really have a ruthless streak in him to win if he gets in to the ring with a fully fit and focused Ruiz, Wilder, Usyk or Fury? I think it is clear he does not.

Yes, that's right, but Usyk also came to the boxing gym at the age of 15, but of course physically Usyk seems to me to be more resilient, as he himself said that he was preparing for the first fight with Joshua that he trained spending 15 rounds of 4 minutes, so if he doesn't miss, then most likely he should win.

[JollyGood]

I would also like to see the fight going into a full 12 rounds. Joshua and his new trainer is preaching that they have developed Joshua so we wanted to see what this is though. Does he turn a good boxer, or just used his superior strength and power to overwhelm Usyk. I think the judges can't messed this up, this is a bigger fight, they better award the score to the rightful winner.

His trainer seems to be confident and doing a lot of talking but in the end it will be Joshua that enters the ring to face Usyk. I do not share the optimism he has because I am going for Usyk to win by knockout within 5 rounds.

Yes, that's right, but Usyk also came to the boxing gym at the age of 15, but of course physically Usyk seems to me to be more resilient, as he himself said that he was preparing for the first fight with Joshua that he trained spending 15 rounds of 4 minutes, so if he doesn't miss, then most likely he should win.

I was unaware of the history behind Usyk and his career. I will need to look in to this further to get the full background but if he also first started boxing at 15 years of age he seems head and shoulders above Joshua in terms of technical skills.

I did not know he was training or sparring 15 rounds with each lasting 4 minutes but it shows a lot determination on part of Usyk. And if this is what he did it strengthens my opinion about him winning by knocking Joshua out within 5 rounds.

[Daltonik]

I was unaware of the history behind Usyk and his career. I will need to look in to this further to get the full background but if he also first started boxing at 15 years of age he seems head and shoulders above Joshua in terms of technical skills.

I did not know he was training or sparring 15 rounds with each lasting 4 minutes but it shows a lot determination on part of Usyk. And if this is what he did it strengthens my opinion about him winning by knocking Joshua out within 5 rounds.

Well, although Usyk came to the boxing gym at the age of 15, but before that, I think he was already well prepared physically as he was engaged in judo and even played football for the youth team.

Oh, you have big bets on Usyk's victory and even in the 5th round, I would prefer to just enjoy the fight in 12 rounds.

[virasisog]

I was unaware of the history behind Usyk and his career. I will need to look in to this further to get the full background but if he also first started boxing at 15 years of age he seems head and shoulders above Joshua in terms of technical skills.

I did not know he was training or sparring 15 rounds with each lasting 4 minutes but it shows a lot determination on part of Usyk. And if this is what he did it strengthens my opinion about him winning by knocking Joshua out within 5 rounds.

Well, although Usyk came to the boxing gym at the age of 15, but before that, I think he was already well prepared physically as he was engaged in judo and even played football for the youth team.

Oh, you have big bets on Usyk's victory and even in the 5th round, I would prefer to just enjoy the fight in 12 rounds.

I've seen a clip of Usyk's training and I've seen that he's too dedicated and eager to win this fight. It seems like Usyk prepared to face Joshua so I have no doubt that he could possibly win by knockout. Joshua really needs to learn how to counter all the punches that Usyk might throw. It will surely be a big challenge for him.
 

[Silberman]

The poll is much closer than I would have imagined. Right now 66.7% are going for a Usyk win whereas 33.3% are going for a Joshua win and that confuses me because there seems to a belief that Joshua just might be able to overcome Usyk.

I see Joshua having zero chance against Usyk but the poll shows 20 votes in favour of Usyk and 10 votes for Joshua. I hope there more participants in the vote in the coming days.

Usyk looks like a man on a mission with the support of the world behind him:

I hope that if the fight goes full distance and judges are to decide who is the winner, if the fight was very close, then judges wont give a victory to Usyk "only because he is from Ukraine, and Ukraine has hard time now". Dont turn boxing into Eurovision song contest. If Usyk wasnt able to KO, then he would better be dominant and win fairy. Dont want to see politics involved into sport.

We all want the same thing but whether we like it or not this can have an effect on the way the judges score the cards, after the pandemic we are seeing more unification fights than ever and I think this has been done as a way to rise once gain the popularity of boxing and give the fans what they have been craving for a lot of time, so it is likely an unification fight on the top division of boxing will come soon, and most likely they are calculating which out of Joshua and Usyk could bring more viewers and interest to the fight, and if Joshua were to win it will bring the interest of UK fans but not the rest of the world, instead if Usyk were to win then this will bring the attention of the whole world, so in a close fight I will not be surprised if Usyk will be given some preference not only as a champion but as the more marketable out of the two.

[JollyGood]

I will not placing a bet on the fight but do have a strong belief and confidence in that Usyk will out box Joshua again and he will win by knockout. Joshua has tools at his disposal to win the fight but he was unable to trouble Usyk in the first meeting and I see no reason why he will be able unleash them in the rematch. Usyk should win the fight comfortably.

Well, although Usyk came to the boxing gym at the age of 15, but before that, I think he was already well prepared physically as he was engaged in judo and even played football for the youth team.

Oh, you have big bets on Usyk's victory and even in the 5th round, I would prefer to just enjoy the fight in 12 rounds.

[Baofeng]

And this is what former Brit champion David Haye has to say about Joshua if he losses to Usyk again:

“If he doesn’t win, I am not sure he wants to be in a sport where he knows he is not the best. He got out-hustled by someone he knows he can beat and if - he does everything right and Usyk still beats him - I don’t know if there is anything else for him to do in the sport," Haye said to The Sun.

“He is such a winner that I don’t know what he does next, if he loses again. He believes he has all the physical abilities to beat Usyk, so do I, so with the right plan he can get the victory.”

https://www.boxingscene.com/haye-believes-joshua-retire-from-boxing-if-usyk-wins-rematch--167462

I disagree though, I think Joshua can still continue with his career and fight again. But he has to go to a lot of fighters, gain his confidence back. It doesn't mean the end for him, but it could have a devastated effect as he has all the tools to be a great HW champion.

[Welsh]

I will not placing a bet on the fight but do have a strong belief and confidence in that Usyk will out box Joshua again and he will win by knockout. Joshua has tools at his disposal to win the fight but he was unable to trouble Usyk in the first meeting and I see no reason why he will be able unleash them in the rematch. Usyk should win the fight comfortably.

Not sure Usyk has the power to put Joshua away or the pressure. In the first fight he did hurt Joshua quite a few times, but he never presses on it. He goes back to sitting behind his jab. So, in my opinion to knock Joshua out he'll need to be really loading up his shots, and he doesn't really do that. He isn't putting Joshua out in one punch, at least I wouldn't have thought so, and nothing up until this point has suggested he can.

I might bet on it, along with a few UFC fights. Usyk be decision again looks the most likely, and should get decents odds. Should be above evens I imagine.

[Yaunfitda]

And here is the current odds for this fight,

Usyk - 1.49
Joshua - 2.44

And the over/under is 10.5 at 1.67/2.16

So bettors are expecting a full 12 rounds of pure clinic by Usyk. He might hurt Joshua as we all know that he doesn't have a good chin, But I don't think that he will go for the knockout. Or it might be a short night for Usyk, if Joshua will pressed hard and look for a knock out.