Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk - 25 September 2021

[KiwiRider]

Bought this on Sky. Its pricey and undercard is gash but didn't want to chance firestick not working for main event.

Me too. But have to get it through Now app. Unfortunately my internet is very unstable at the moment!

Its the first PPV I've bought in years , I'll probably get Fury Wilder also, good undercard on it too.

The undercards are chalk and cheese aren't they?
The Fury Wilder undercard is so good I wouldn't be fussed if the main event finished in two rounds, whereas the Joshua Uysk undercard is junk that Eddie should hang his head in shame over.

[Cyclops]

Surprised Usyk got a cheers from public ....is he any popular in UK ?

A lot of us like him. Amongst my closest boxing mates we're all pulling for Usyk, as much as we wanted AJ-Fury.

[KiwiRider]

We love this funny guy

[Ruthless-RKO]

Surprised Usyk got a cheers from public ....is he any popular in UK ?

A lot of us like him. Amongst my closest boxing mates we're all pulling for Usyk, as much as we wanted AJ-Fury.

There was some Ukrainian fans there too.

But how can the English not like him anyway..

[Coco]

A good bigun beats a good little un

[KiwiRider]

A good bigun beats a good little un

Evander was a rare beast.
Uysk might be too
Can't wait to find out.

[SticknMove]

Dont care who wins to be honest. Just great to see a respectful pre match buildup for a change without the histrionic bollocks.

[tonyevs]

A good bigun beats a good little un

Evander was a rare beast.
Uysk might be too
Can't wait to find out.

Both very good boxers. But I'd say Holyfield had those other important things which also made a difference; better punch and very cute at using the dirty tactics .. his head in particular.

[KiwiRider]

A good bigun beats a good little un

Evander was a rare beast.
Uysk might be too
Can't wait to find out.

Both very good boxers. But I'd say Holyfield had those other important things which also made a difference; better punch and very cute at using the dirty tactics .. his head in particular.

Sure.
Maybe I'm too invested in a second coming. Conquer cruiser, then rule HW. I find it tantalising
Holyfield had a big influence on me.

[Grilling Machine]

Joshua's most vulnerable when he starts feeling himself and sticking his tongue out; turns into a bully when he's on top. If Usyk can sandbag him into that mood he'll be able to set up counters.

But if AJ's learnt from his Ruiz loss, with McCracken in his ear about fighting any urge to ever feel comfortable, I think he'll win a disciplined fight. He's a tidy boxer when he respects his opponents, and notably more powerful here.

Unless Usyk lands a cracking temple shot, I think he needs a lapse in concentration or something rash from AJ, who can box on the backfoot with some amount of scorecard advantage. Usyk winning wouldn't shock me at all, but him walking AJ down and unloading for a stoppage absolutely would.

It's Joshua's fight to lose for me. I predict he wins by late stoppage, a brave Usyk just worn down.

On a sidenote, I'd be quite happy if Usyk and Wilder won, because I can see Joshua-Fury dragging all the way through next year otherwise, and then maybe not happening.

[a force]

I’m surprised a couple think it’ll be a wide points loss like Parker & that Usyk will kind of settle for that.

I think Usyk will lay it all on the line. He’s the one who’s chased the Joshua fight, he sees something in him that he can exploit. He’ll work every second to try & tire Joshua & draw mistakes from him. Unlike Joshua his legacy’s already secured. He’ll go down as one of the two best cruisers of all time, an Olympic gold medalist & a national hero. This is all about taking gamble to put yourself in the all time great bracket.

The biggest question in this fight is can Joshua fight a disciplined fight with a fit, game, world class opponent in the opposite corner. His best chance for me is to keep it long & to not overreact to Usyk’s feints & movement. If he can buzz Usyk then yes look to finish him but not to gas himself safe in the knowledge that if he does win 5 or 6 rounds he’ll almost certainly get the win on the scorecards.

Usyk just needs to do what he did against Gassiev & Joyce & keep manoeuvring Joshua so he can’t set his feet & get that right hand going. It’s a fine line between setting too much of a pace that you put yourself into danger & not setting enough of a pace to tire Joshua but I think he’ll tire him & we’ll see a stoppage with Joshua on his feet but completely gassed by around round 10 or 11.

[a force]

Also a big shout out to the Sky Sports journalist who asked Usyk if he’ll find the atmosphere intimidating.

This is a Ukrainian that went to Moscow & beat an undefeated Russian. I imagine this is an absolute breeze at the side of that.

In fact I’d imagine Glowacki in Poland & Breidis in Latvia were far more intimidating than Joshua in London.

[Counter-puncher]

AJ’s landed clean on everyone he’s fought.

Meh, he didn’t land much on (eg) Parker, in fact he didn’t let his hands go much as Parker was pre-emoting him with a lot of quite good head movement. It’s not inconceivable Usyk’s footwork would manage a similar effect.

Not that that necessarily means Usyk wins, but a fight in which (eg) like Parker he loses but doesn’t take much, wouldn’t surprise me.

I’ve always had Joshua significant favourite in my own eyes but I can see why people make the argument for Usyk.

I agree with your assessment of the fight.

AJ landed on Parker but just didn’t throw much as he didn’t need to. I think he’ll need to throw more against Usyk - particularly if Usyk is winning nor nicking the rounds.

his potential problem would be if Usyk is able to give him enough movement to make him scared of missing shots

IMO his problem against Parker (or possibly in general) is that he is aware of his stamina issues and scared of gassing, so if someone gives him a lot of good movement on defence i can see him keeping his hands at home.

Usyk's potential problem as I never seem to tire of saying is that he hasn't generally done a lot of movement from the waist, either he moves his feet or under pressure he will guard up rather than bob and weave, so he gives people a solid target to aim at and around and a big heavyweight can probably bang him around the guard and have success.

[orbtastic]

I think if he doesn’t put his mark down early he’s in for a long night and someone of usyk’s ability isn’t going to let him take rounds off.

It’s an interesting fight for me. I don’t think Joshua has the boxing ability, brain of stamina to make it a boxing match.

Usyk didn’t look like someone who was a genuine heavyweight. He looked like he’d bulked up. Not that I think he necessarily needs “bulk” or strength because he should be avoiding any sort of bully boy leaning and grapling strategy.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Stats and Stakes

Anthony Joshua

Age: 31
Current Titles: IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight (2019-Present, 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: IBF heavyweight (2016-19, 6 Defenses); WBA heavyweight (2017-19, 3 Defenses); WBO heavyweight (2018-19, 1 Defense)
Height: 6’6
Weight: 240 lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Record: 24-1, 22 KO, 1 KOBY

Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, Ring, BoxRec), #2 (ESPN)

Record in Major Title Fights: 9-1, 7 KO, 1 KOBY

Last Five Opponents: 151-4 (.974)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Charles Martin KO2; Dominic Breazeale TKO7; Wladimir Klitschko TKO11; Carlos Takam TKO10; Joseph Parker UD12; Alexander Povetkin TKO7; Andy Ruiz TKO by 7, UD12; Kubrat Pulev KO9

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

vs.

Oleksandr Usyk

Age: 34
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBO Cruiserweight (2016-19, 6 Defenses); WBC Cruiserweight (2018-19, 2 Defenses); Lineal/TBRB/Ring/WBA/IBF Cruiserweight (2018-19, 1 Defense)
Height: 6’3
Weight: 221 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Shypyntsi, Ukraine
Record: 18-0, 13 KO (24-0, 15 KO including World Series of Boxing fights)

Press Rankings: #3 (BoxRec), #4 (ESPN), #10 (TBRB, Ring)

Record in Title Fights: 7-0, 3 KO

Last Five Opponents: 149-14-1 (.912)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Krzysztof Glowacki UD12; Marco Huck TKO10; Mairis Briedis MD12; Murat Gassiev UD12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Tony Bellew TKO8

[Counter-puncher]

I think if he doesn’t put his mark down early he’s in for a long night and someone of usyk’s ability isn’t going to let him take rounds off.

It’s an interesting fight for me. I don’t think Joshua has the boxing ability, brain of stamina to make it a boxing match.

Usyk didn’t look like someone who was a genuine heavyweight. He looked like he’d bulked up. Not that I think he necessarily needs “bulk” or strength because he should be avoiding any sort of bully boy leaning and grapling strategy.

aye I don't see how it benefits him, i'd have thought he needs to stay light and stay at distance, and 10? extra lbs won't help (but then nowadays with modern 'strength and conditioning' I suppose they can add 10lbs wihtout it negatively impacting staminma given the right magic beans.... ), and the extra muscle i don't think will help much up close as he'll get ragdolled anyway.

i'd love to have seen Usyk just stay light and go full boxer on him but something tells me he gets 'bodied on' at some points and worn down. I hope not.

[orbtastic]

I think if he doesn’t put his mark down early he’s in for a long night and someone of usyk’s ability isn’t going to let him take rounds off.

It’s an interesting fight for me. I don’t think Joshua has the boxing ability, brain of stamina to make it a boxing match.

Usyk didn’t look like someone who was a genuine heavyweight. He looked like he’d bulked up. Not that I think he necessarily needs “bulk” or strength because he should be avoiding any sort of bully boy leaning and grapling strategy.

aye I don't see how it benefits him, i'd have thought he needs to stay light and stay at distance, and 10? extra lbs won't help (but then nowadays with modern 'strength and conditioning' I suppose they can add 10lbs wihtout it negatively impacting staminma given the right magic beans.... ), and the extra muscle i don't think will help much up close as he'll get ragdolled anyway.

i'd love to have seen Usyk just stay light and go full boxer on him but something tells me he gets 'bodied on' at some points and worn down. I hope not.

Yes mate. Agreed. I would love to see him put w boxing clinic on and stop a gassed Joshua late on who is wildly swinging but I don’t think it’ll happen. Maybe I’m wrong. Usyk strikes me as an intelligent guy so maybe he’s just messing around. Who knows.

What is good to see is no fake beef for once.

[Counter-puncher]

What is good to see is no fake beef for once.

yeah just try getting some beef with Usyk, he'll just quirky-laugh and make you look (as) ridiculous (as you fkin well should look)

[ThereByTheGrace]

Cmon usyk make a fool out of that big stiff idiot!!!

[bigjack]

Cmon usyk make a fool out of that big stiff idiot!!!

would be the second best result of the year for me after watching Canelo smash Saunder's face in

[gregregegg]

Marku hasnt even made the PPV section... HAtton is higher up the card than calum smith. few weird choivess, but i get it, short fight, name you wanna boost, worth sneaking in that slot i guess.

[Coco]

A good bigun beats a good little un

Evander was a rare beast.
Uysk might be too
Can't wait to find out.

Even Holyfield had to bulk up significantly before he had success

[KiwiRider]

A good bigun beats a good little un

Evander was a rare beast.
Uysk might be too
Can't wait to find out.

Even Holyfield had to bulk up significantly before he had success

*sigh*
I know.
I just get the 'vibe' that the best chance of another accomplished cruiser becoming a HW champ is Uysk. Let me dream

[Ruthless-RKO]

Marku hasnt even made the PPV section... HAtton is higher up the card than calum smith. few weird choivess, but i get it, short fight, name you wanna boost, worth sneaking in that slot i guess.

Live on Facebook| Youtube: 5pm

Vacant WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight Championship
Chris Ousley vs. Khasan Baysangurov

Live on Sky Sports Box Office | DAZN: 6pm UK | 1pm ET | 10am PT

IBF International Welterweight Championship
Maxim Prodan vs. Florian Marku

He's opening the PPV

[Ruthless-RKO]