Unified WBA super, IBF, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has received special permission from the Ukraine government to step away from the defense line against the Russian invasion and return to the gym to defend his belts. Usyk announced his return to training this week and confirmed he will rematch Anthony Joshua in his next fight. Although it has not been made official, the details of the date and place are said to be sometime in June in the Middle East.
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Usyk returns to the ring to defend his belt. I have mixed feelings. In one way I’m happy, in another way I’m worried. I would like to watch the best Usyk defend his belt, not a Usyk that is severely distracted by the war.
Wish you and your country the best.
It’ll be interesting to see how Joshua approaches this fight. After he lost to Ruiz, the way forward was clear. Just stay away from him and pick and poke your way to a victory (and it helped that Ruiz did his training camp for the rematch at Burger King). If he decides to do the opposite and attempt to impose his size and physicality on the naturally smaller man in this one, I think he runs the risk of Usyk picking him apart and having a chance at stopping him.
Many believe that this is exactly what AJ must do to defeat Usyk. How would you prepare AJ? What strategy?
It’s a very interesting question. I think that the worst strategy would be to engage in a straight boxing match with Usyk. I think he loses that fight 10-2 if not worse. I also don’t think that he can just body rush Usyk and try to bowl him over, but that’s probably his better option. I think ultimately what I would have Joshua try to do would be to press Usyk, but do so smartly. Don’t always look to get close to him, but don’t completely stay at range either, but you’re always pushing the fight. If you’re standing there trying to figure out what to do next or trying to counterpunch Usyk, I don’t care how strong Joshua is, he’s going to lose that fight.
Would that actually work??? I have no idea.
Thanks, I have similar ideas. I agree with that you need to put pressure on Usyk, but not without thought, a cautious but constant pressure, and in my opinion mostly from distance, occasionally half distance, when there is an opening, and even less occasionally to the body. Also, I think AJ himself must be the director and take the initiative as often as possible.
AJ is neither the fastest nor the most technical boxer. But I truly and dearly appreciate and respect him for always being a gentleman in the Ring.
I actually think there is a boxer out there that over twelve rounds has a style that would be highly problematic to Usyk, especially the last three rounds.
He’s big and slow, but he masters more or less the cautious but constant pressure style and that is Joe Joyce. A surprise maybe, but I think he is underrated, and I think most top 10 boxers avoid him for good reasons. I think Usyk would risk to pay for Joe Joyce’s style and size at the end of such a fight.
Anyway, I would prefer AJ vs Wilder to this fight. I hope Usyk wins, but I will not be surprised if AJ manage.
It was a long time ago, nine years actually now that I look it up, but Joyce and Usyk fought in that World Series thing. Usyk won by shutout on all of the cards. You can find it online, like I said it was a long time ago, but you can see how they might look against each other.
Joyce has come a long way since then (Usyk has as well), but he was very mechanical back then and Usyk pretty much had his way. I think Joyce is fighting Parker for the final WBO eliminator later this year so if both win, we’ll probably get to see a rematch
I think Joshua has to fight an aggressive fight and keep walking him down. He has to be willing to take the chance of getting knocked out to give himself the best chance to win. He cannot go at him the way Maidana went at Mayweather and Broner because he does not have the stamina for that but he needs to be constantly putting the pressure on, going to the body and asserting his size and strength. Yes he may get knocked out but I think this is is best shot.
Usyk will fight highly motivated representing his under agression home land. He won the first fight because he was absolutely the better man, I find not much reasons why this second meeting should be different, perhaps he even surpass his previous performance and stop Joshua
Good news. I just heard of a Ukrainian kickboxing champion getting killed in the war and instantly thought of Usyk and how he needs to stop getting used. I’ll be watching how he uses his stage for propaganda.
This will be an important fight for Ukraine.
Interesting they pick the Middle East for the fight; a place the USA has been invading for the last three decades.
When Ali wanted to box while US was invading Vietnam they stripped his Boxing license for five years, threatened his life, and called him a traitor.
Good for Usyk he gets better treatment.
Three years…
“When Ali wanted to box while US was invading Vietnam they stripped his Boxing license for five years”
– Ali was drafted in 1967 and refused induction.
– Not the same situation with Usyk.
– Take care, NJ.
AJ can only win is if does what he did in the Ruiz rematch.
Damn. I was hoping they was gonna make “Joshua vs Wilder” for the interim while Usyk was tied up in this. Damn. I’m disappointed
Joshua vs Wilder, yes, agree, that´s the one I would like to see now.
God Bless Oleksandr Usyk…
Guys, don’t get caught up in this hoax. Do you know how bad Russia would smash Ukraine if they were actually in war?? Russia is hitting Precise targets if they wanted to bash Ukraine it would be HELL like nobody ever seen! Don’t buy into the propaganda.
So it’s more of a quiet walk in the garden?
Distorted information and propaganda come in from all directions. Most people realize this and turn to several sources of information.
If you do not do that, there is a great risk that you will get lost in yourself and your conspiracy theories.
I’m not here for a popular vote where truth isn’t popular. It’s much easier to lie to someone than convince them they’ve been lied to. That’s clearly the case here with many people. You all wore masks and likely turned into a human pin cushion with shots that don’t work as well. Maskers, believe the shot that doesn’t work. They also say “free Ukraine” while medical tyranny has destroyed our economy in the US. Only idiots have such a mindset. Sorry if your feelings are hurt. Facts over feelings, cupcakes.
Usyk It’s not going to forget how to box in two months. The cream will always rise to the top
The champ is more important for his country in a ring, giving inspiration to millions, instead of being killed in a street clash with Russians.
Of course this is a tough one to predict.Usyk is a technical master, he is a thinker and calculates at least 3 or 4 moves ahead.Another thing is his condition over 12 rounds….from round 1 to 12 he only steps up the gear.To box a guy like that… is like to play chess with a chess master.On the other hand AJ despite his loses remains a beast and power house.AJ weakness is his defence and energy balance… he fails on exchanges…or gets gased at points….he gets cought by quick left counters over and over for example…
Unless AJ suprises us all and by a miracle fixed all this…. i can only see him win if he keeps Usyk in distance…stays away from those exchanges… clinches and roughs Usyk up …has very acurate powerful jabs…and up close uses his uppercut.That’s easier said than done….