AJ 3.0 - Wlad & Grab - Can AJ do it?

[SAPFO]

I said this years ago here, but couldn’t find the thread. Can AJ evolve into his old mate Wladimir? They have very similar frailties. AJ just needs to become a professor in patience, the jab, the jab, the jab, the jab again, the odd right, and the grab. That is it! I think AJ ‘could’ be a better version of a ‘Wlad’, as he has a few more punches in the locker.

This would be AJ 3.0. This is the way!

[dookus]

He's missing Wlad's footwork, among other things

[ewenhay]

Exactly.

Klitschko was the mover in their fight.

[DrDuke]

Joshua isn't loose and smart enough for that. Turning AJ to Wlad sounds like turning Frank Bruno to Lewis.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wlad didn't used to gas after 5 rounds either.

[ewenhay]

And he's a smarter guy.

He didn't need to be reminded repeatedly between every round to jab.

[JamesPhilips]

Wladimir had a much better boxing brain then Joshua.

[Oiky]

No,Wlad had at least something natural about him

Joshua is all manufactured,and has a team wrapped round him trying to manufacture him more into a boxer which isn't where his strenghts lie

Using his physicality and being forceful works for AJ better than the pure approach

[Oiky]

No,Wlad had at least something natural about him

Joshua is all manufactured,and has a team wrapped round him trying to manufacture him more into a boxer which isn't where his strenghts lie

Using his physicality and being forceful works for AJ better than the pure approach

[polecateddy]

He kind of needs a Manny Stewart makeover, but there isn’t really a equivalent figure to use and Joshua probably lacks the total commitment of Lewis and Wlad.

[567568]

No,Wlad had at least something natural about him

Joshua is all manufactured,and has a team wrapped round him trying to manufacture him more into a boxer which isn't where his strenghts lie

Using his physicality and being forceful works for AJ better than the pure approach

See he can't be 100% manufactured. He was heavyweight champion of the world, albeit against weak competition. There is some talent in Joshua, he was fast with his hands (in amateurs) and he has heart.
But I agree that he won't become Wlad in a matter of months, or even a year. Wlad was more accurate with his punches, even when Steward wasn't training him. Steward primarily helped him devise a style to protect his vulnerable chin. Chin isn't AJ's only problem.
As you said, he should try and make it a war. But Usyk maybe too slick for him to force into a corner and rough up.

[ewenhay]

He's been boxing professionally for almost ten years now.

His corner are still trying to get him to master the basics when it comes to combinations.

But the biggest issue I feel is that Joshua is deluded about the level of his own boxing skills. Trying to outbox Usyk was bonkers. I don't think his corner have the same confidence in his skills that he has. It's all 'don't forget to jab, Josh' and 'remember to jab Josh so you can use that right hand'. Pretty basic stuff.

He's a big lump that takes a bit of shifting so his best chance of winning is to force his physical advantages on his opponents.

As soon as he starts thinking he's a boxer he's in trouble.

[Glass Joe]

The only way AJ beats Usyk is to go on the Mexican meat, bulk up and bomb him out early. If he can't do that he's gonna lose again.

[Counter-puncher]

The only way AJ beats Usyk is to go on the Mexican meat

yeah if only his team had half a dozen 'strength & conditioning experts' on hand

[JamesPhilips]

The only way AJ beats Usyk is to go on the Mexican meat, bulk up and bomb him out early. If he can't do that he's gonna lose again.

You think the Mexican beef is better than the drugs he’s been pumped fill of for years Lol

[Monte Fisto]

The only way AJ beats Usyk is to go on the Mexican meat, bulk up and bomb him out early. If he can't do that he's gonna lose again.

You think the Mexican beef is better than the drugs he’s been pumped fill of for years Lol

I was thinking the same.

[stujones]

Yes - I think people noting about prime's Wlad superior stamina is an important point. It didn't come overnight for Wlad but he was a bit younger changing style and it took huge dedication AND a bloody mindness - didn't get caught between style again.

I think firstly with Joshua his team have just got to be realistic - his chin aint that, his stamina is really poor and IQ is really shocking for a world champion - but he has alot of strengths also. They need to work on a long term strategy that will eliminate his weaknesses and be effective - don't worry about whose the opponent, don't mess about with flucating weight cos of an opponent - just focus on his own strategy - if its Usyk infront of him or Charles Martin. Needs to stop thinking that he is pretty perfect but "has bad days" - he aint perfect and neither was Wlad and Manny showed him what to do - and Klitchsko was the same if it was Jamel McLine infront of him or Jean Marc Mormeck - when his tactics didn't work, he came unstuck (but it blooming grates when people say Fury took him to School - that was a razor tight decision and given it was in Germany - Fury was lucky).

[Crease]

Can AJ do it?
Yes, he has the power and the physicality to level Usyk and become a 3-time Champ.

Will he?
It's hard to say... But anyone who watched last week's fight would have to lean toward another Usyk victory...

As for the how - I disagree with the original poster, Wlad's jab and grab style won't work against someone as classy as Usyk... I think AJ would have to go in to brawling mode and try to get him out of their within the first 6 rounds... After that he'll be gassed out and Usyk's superior skills and footwork will win the rounds (7-12) for him...

If he wants it all.... He''s gonna have to brawl!

[JamesPhilips]

Can AJ do it?
Yes, he has the power and the physicality to level Usyk and become a 3-time Champ.

Will he?
It's hard to say... But anyone who watched last week's fight would have to lean toward another Usyk victory...

As for the how - I disagree with the original poster, Wlad's jab and grab style won't work against someone as classy as Usyk... I think AJ would have to go in to brawling mode and try to get him out of their within the first 6 rounds... After that he'll be gassed out and Usyk's superior skills and footwork will win the rounds (7-12) for him...

If he wants it all.... He''s gonna have to brawl!

Lol like the tagline

[SAPFO]

So by UD, it’s a resounding ‘NO!’ from the thousands of years of boxing knowledge stored here.


Okay…so people want AJ to blow people out quick or the be fvcked

Can AJ be the ‘Khan’ of the HW’s? As in an exciting fight either way, as you know someone’s going down…

[margaret thatcher]

wlad had really good footwork and judge of distance, he wasnt ali dancing around the ring but was very effective with the half step back. haye sure knows.

not sure aj has the same ability. he didnt exactly have a high output vs usyk either, not sure it wouldve helped him much doing a wlad

josh is a powerhouse offensively and i think he's best as a boxer-puncher with measured aggression . becoming too much of a spoiler is gonna move him away more from his strengths.

[coneye]

Aj is missing the most important thing he needs and he,s NEVER going to get it , especielly in time for a rematch , its the thing they should off been working on for the lsst 6 years or so , its called fitness / stamina he could beat Usyk , Fury Wilder , anyone they want to put in front of him , simply because he has the punches he has the skill and he has the power ,,,,,,,, But he could,nt unload 4,,,5 ,,,,6 punches one after the other quickly because he would gas and he knows it thats why he did,t do it ,,,,,,, The gameplan against Usyk is simple , walk him down cut him off and throw punches hit his arms he,ll block a couple , he,ll slip a couple and he,ll catch a couple , then he,ll run but he dont score running but unless Aj throws more than a single jab he,s stuffed , pressure and heavy hands will beat Usyk , thats why Chisora done better against him , but Alas it wont hapoen simply because in furys words Aj is a big stiff idiot with no stamina , and his well paid team need sacking for allowing him to stay that way for years

[gregregegg]

Aj is missing the most important thing he needs and he,s NEVER going to get it , especielly in time for a rematch , its the thing they should off been working on for the lsst 6 years or so , its called fitness / stamina he could beat Usyk , Fury Wilder , anyone they want to put in front of him , simply because he has the punches he has the skill and he has the power ,,,,,,,, But he could,nt unload 4,,,5 ,,,,6 punches one after the other quickly because he would gas and he knows it thats why he did,t do it ,,,,,,, The gameplan against Usyk is simple , walk him down cut him off and throw punches hit his arms he,ll block a couple , he,ll slip a couple and he,ll catch a couple , then he,ll run but he dont score running but unless Aj throws more than a single jab he,s stuffed , pressure and heavy hands will beat Usyk , thats why Chisora done better against him , but Alas it wont hapoen simply because in furys words Aj is a big stiff idiot with no stamina , and his well paid team need sacking for allowing him to stay that way for years

Im sure they have worked unbelievably on his stamina. AJ is a 240lb ripped man and about as fast twitch as they come. to box 36 mins is remarkable.

[MasterG]

He needs to look close to home to start with. Get rid of everyone in his corner.

[tonyevs]

He kind of needs a Manny Stewart makeover, but there isn’t really a equivalent figure to use and Joshua probably lacks the total commitment of Lewis and Wlad.

My thoughts too

I agree with the consensus that Joshua cannot outbox Usyk - and in a way agree that he needs to put it all on Usyk from the first round in the rematch like Chisora did.
However - Joshua is not as sturdy as Chisora. And those tactics are very much shit or bust; Joshua would give Usyk more opportunities to land a solid punch which we know can put him on those bendy knees. So would the money men behind Team Joshua risk that?