Irrespective of the outcome, the immediate rematch is a foolish move

[tobyh5]

He offered no excuses and was gracious in defeat. Maybe you are looking for some confirmation that wasn't there.

Exactly. Yeah too accepting of it all. That’s the confirmation that he’s not a real fighter IMO or ‘something’ is missing

[leejonesjnr]

I'm suprised more people have not commented on how strange it was, never seen a fighter so happy to lose, yes it showed great sportsmanship, but odd reaction to somebody at the height of his game, multiple belt holder etc.
He's made his money, so good luck to him

I recall Lewis was in good spirits and not angry or upset when he lost to Rahman.

[HomicideHenry]

I think this backs up the thread title.

He looks like he is putting a brave face on it, its still fresh and not sunk in, no time to really gather thoughts and play out scenarios in his mind, but also looks like a weight lifted off his shoulders. Lacks that spite, that "something" that says, "I will get my motherfcking titles back....shite happens, I am the man, its a mistake, I will do this that and the other."

All too calm and composed. Plus note he kept saying things about Eddie will decide what is next, who is next, said "you know what I want next" (to mean Wilder still), and did not seem too keen for a rematch. He knew he had an absolute hammering

After all his smug comments how the lineal title is meaningless, therefore not interested in Fury, and that he was only interested in getting the WBC strap.... For him to suggest he's worth a bucket of piss now without any titles to his name and wants a Wilder fight.... Makes him the biggest hypocrite in the world.

[overhand_right]

I think it was embarrassment with Lewis. He'd done another McCall and blown a Superfight.

Joshua seemed to be relieved that the scary fat man wasn't beating him up any longer.

[samwbr]

Exactly. Yeah too accepting of it all. That’s the confirmation that he’s not a real fighter IMO or ‘something’ is missing

Hes been heavyweight champion of the world, it's as real as it gets.

[dr_devious]

He'd probably be better off fighting Wilder, another late starter in the sport.

Wilder would decapitate Joshua, he will never go anywhere near him now

[Coco]

Wilder would decapitate Joshua, he will never go anywhere near him now

Since when has Wilders chin been so solid and Joshua has become a non puncher.
Style wise The Londoner will much prefer a man who stands tall, and the Fury fight demonstrated that Wilder is not the master boxer.

After one bad night, a fight he was close to winning in the 3rd, now AJ can't fight, punch and has no chin, stamina or heart.

No wonder this is called the lonliest sport on earth.

[tobyh5]

Hes been heavyweight champion of the world, it's as real as it gets.

A great athlete who has been taught to boxc, not a real boxing man imo

[Coco]

A great athlete who has been taught to boxc, not a real boxing man imo

I guess Dave Allen would be favourite to beat Joshua now.

[Oiky]

A great athlete who has been taught to boxc, not a real boxing man imo

I agree,plus he was so marketable and "looked right" - he was an athlete who just happened to fall into boxing & do Alright out of it

Seems to enjoy the training,the dieting,all the hoo har of boxing,but in fight night he doesn't seem "all in"

[HomicideHenry]

No wonder this is called the lonliest sport on earth.

"But the one thing they love more than a hero, is to see a hero fail, to fall...."

[Ricky]

I agree. A rematch would be like Price vs Thompson and could be the end of AJ. Up against a guy who had the beard to take his shots there was not much left for AJ; he got absolutely schooled.

[leejonesjnr]

You people crack me up.

[samwbr]

I guess Dave Allen would be favourite to beat Joshua now.

He needs to drop down to area level, some winnable fights there for him.

[Spiker]

I have no idea what happened last night besides Joshua getting stoped. I thought his fighting was odd his behaviour in the corner odd. He asked McCracken what he meant by going up and down to the body. Also asked what he thought Ruiz was gonna do. It was like listening to an amauter. I did think he sounded like he had a stinking cold in the press conference earlier in the week. Respect to Ruiz but Joshua had something going on with him. I’m sure it will be revealed. I’ve even thought maybe he couldn’t supplement like he does normally I don’t know. Something was not right about the whole thing tho

[overhand_right]

Wilder would decapitate Joshua, he will never go anywhere near him now

Yeah I would expect Wilder to find Joshua's chin first, overall though he has a better chance vs Wilder as it's a sort of 50/50 Who Lands First fight, whereas vs Ruiz it's irrelevent, Andy as awful as he looks can fight, Joshua as marvelous as he looks can't.

[Coco]

Im hearing now that it wasn't Ruiz but Arya from GOT

[leejonesjnr]

Andy as awful as he looks can fight, Joshua as marvelous as he looks can't.

Fq sake

[Datsue]

the thing thats worrying for aj is how badly and easily he was being hurt, its not like lewis being taken out by a big rahman bomb, pretty much any time andy put those fast aggressive combos together aj was teetering. and the final kd looked like a physical and mental capituatltion

Innit. The short punches were coming from places he didn't know how to block. & he definitely dropped a bollock at the end, he just sort of let it slide, like.

The answer for the rematch will obviously be to get behind the jab & get on the bike for twelve rounds, without letting Ruiz get inside on him. He cannot fight any worse than he did last night, surely?

[dr_devious]

Since when has Wilders chin been so solid and Joshua has become a non puncher.
Style wise The Londoner will much prefer a man who stands tall, and the Fury fight demonstrated that Wilder is not the master boxer.

After one bad night, a fight he was close to winning in the 3rd, now AJ can't fight, punch and has no chin, stamina or heart.

No wonder this is called the lonliest sport on earth.

AJ is a decent puncher but otherwise the rest of what you say is true. Ruiz really isn't that good, he was borderline top 10 in the division before last night.

[Autobarn]

Enough conclusions; let’s see how Joshua handles adversity. How adaptable he can be, what changes can be made, in a short time.

Joshua clearly doesn’t like those square strong types who keeps coming at him (he didn’t impress v Takkam) - and also is vulnerable after badly hurting his opponent (Whyte, Wlad). We’ve seen him stuck in quicksand for rounds after being shaken or dropped (Whyte & Wlad) & now we know what happens when the other guys sustains the beatdown...

Anyone see shades of HayexThompson or Dean Francis-Ballogou? In the case of Joshua this kind of thing happened somewhat late, hopefully not too much, to be corrected (learning to pace himself)l

Heavyweight isn’t great but at least can be surprising & dramatic & Wilder’s rematches with Ortix & Fury could also be interesting.

[Nondescript]

If Joshua is wise, he'll give up his immediate title shot, let Whyte have a crack at Ruiz, hope that Dillian beats him, and then rematches Dillian. Stylistically Whyte is better for Joshua I think.

[Grilling Machine]

Not sure that the all smiles "Hey good for you for beating me up buddy" approach to losing is a good sign either. I can't recall ever seeing that sh*t to be honest

Patterson, who did it because he was a great sportsman. But Floyd always gave his best and was some fighter.

[Grilling Machine]

I’ve even thought maybe he couldn’t supplement like he does normally

I've had the same thought: that maybe he decided to take this opportunity against a ‘lesser’ opponent to gauge where he'd land if forced to in future. Like a trial run in the event of stricter conditions versus Wilder and Fury.

[gilgamesh]

Patterson, who did it because he was a great sportsman. But Floyd always gave his best and was some fighter.

Patterson did that to Liston? Did he do that the 2nd time?