On the 25th of September 2021, Anthony Joshua lost for the second time in his career. Numerous pundits had predicted Anthony Joshua(24-2, 22 KOs) to win that night against the highly-rated southpaw Oleksandr Usyk(19-0, 13 KOs). But Usyk, who also, has a fantastic amateur pedigree, won gold in the 2012 Olympics. And also unified all the belts in the cruiserweight division, was still labeled as the underdog. Nevertheless, Usyk’s flawless performance announced him to many; a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
Prior to Joshua’s bout against Usyk, there were only 2 boxers who have gone up to heavyweight and become world champions. Holyfield and Haye. This was one of the indications, why the boxing world did not favour Usyk to beat an elite strong heavyweight like Anthony Joshua.
Usyk’s unmoving debut in the heavyweight division, against Chazz Witherspoon, and the durable Dereck Chisora welcoming Usyk into the Division, with a rigorous, physical battle, it was understandable why many pundits wrote him off against the natural, powerful Anthony Joshua.
However, on the 25th of September, it wasn’t the natural Anthony Joshua we normally see. Several boxing fans, including myself, thought he would come in as the typical ‘AJ’ who, normally like the other heavyweights, imposes his size, on the front-foot demoralising Usyk with head and body shots. But it was another type of Anthony Joshua. A potshot Anthony Joshua. Constantly, Bobbing and weaving side to side, throwing 1-2’s ‘tag’ type of shots. Not once in that fight did he sit down on his shots.
Thereby, which Anthony Joshua will turn up in the second bout against Usyk? is it going to be the Olympic style Anthony Joshua used against Andy Ruiz 2? Or will he attempt to improve and return as a polished potshot Anthony Joshua? Or will he come in as the typical AJ who imposes his size, sits on his shots, and knocks his opponents out?
We will have to wait and see.
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Drop your thoughts below!
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