Could AJ win in a rematch with Usyk?
Is it worth Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22KOs) activating the rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13KOs)? A lot of people don't think so.
Now a two-weight world champion, Usyk took the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO world heavyweight titles away from Joshua with scores of 117-112, 116-112, 115-113. The unanimous decision win 1,600 miles away from home just shows how one-sided the contest was, so can AJ ever win a return match?
Hear what other pro boxers had to say in the aftermath of AJ's second world title defeat to outstanding Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk:
Josh Taylor
Undisputed super-lightweight champion
"Is there any need for a Usyk rematch? Personally, I don't think so, it was too one-sided."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I was hoping that Anthony Joshua would win, but Oleksandr Usyk was just too good. My main observation would be the quality of judging and that I’m glad they didn’t do Usyk a disservice and that the right decision was reached.
A lot of people have been questioning where AJ went wrong, but the fact is that Usyk is just a cut above, technically and stamina-wise.
I personally don’t see a way AJ wins but he has to do it a) for the money b) for his pride!
I think he will change his plan to come in heavier and be a sort of all or nothing hail Mary first few rounds but I also don’t think this will work on a fighter like Usyk
If Joshua activates the rematch clause, I can imagine him stacking on more weight to gain an advantage and to try to land with a big one but ultimately he will still lose."
Paul Stevenson
Everton Red Triangle Head Coach
"He's got about six different trainers with all their own ideas and opinions on what he should do. There's too many voices there, getting in his head. When you'be got a great boxer there ike Usyk, you don't play him at his own game. His tactics were all wrong, Joshua is the bigger, stronger man, so use that advantage. If he went out next time and used his strength and put it him on, the rematch with the right tactics, he's got a good chance of winning.
I think Joshua overthought it. He has so many physical advantages but didn't use them. If you're strong, then be strong; you dont box with a boxer! If he plays to strehngths then he's got a massive advantage, but not using that was a mistake. I think he's big and strong enough to win."
Joe Gallagher
Boxing Trainer
"He will because of the money at stake. Usyk wants the rematch in Ukraine, but I wouldn’t be suprised if Usyk gave the belts up to fight the winner of Wilder vs Fury."
Ben Day
Former Southern Area champion
"I picked Usyk and I’ll pick him again. Unbelievable technician! What’s the saying? 'You don’t box a boxer'. I don’t want to give AJ too much grief but what the hell was him and his team thinking? Tactics completely wrong, you shouldn’t be getting it wrong at this level and experience, he should have bullied him, roughed him up, be nasty to make it a dog fight. Usyk is no Andy Ruiz, stay well clear!"
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"It's hard to see how AJ can win the rematch after being so comprehensively outclassed. Usyk was phenomenal with his feints, head movement, footwork, stamina and energy. He showed the difference in levels. That's what you get when you have experienced 375 amateur and pro bouts; you've got built-in stamina that just doesn't fade and a fluidity that can't be matched. It was a masterclass from an elite champion vs. a world champion.
AJ had moments of success, so there's always a glimmer of hope, but I think he needs to look at other fights, such as Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Without the belts and two losses on his ledger, I think he should be looking at fighting the loser of that trilogy. So let's say that Fury wins, AJ should challenge Wilder for the right to fight Fury after. In that time Usyk will face either Fury or Joyce, so there's any one of three opponents available to him there.
There's still plenty of options for AJ, but I've always known his limits, despite being a fan, so I think he needs to pick his next opponents carefully from now on. Fair play to him for always taking on allcomers, like the last-minute replacement Andy Ruiz Jr and WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk, he deserves full credit for that. I think he can come back to win big fights but becoming a world champion again? I'm not sure about that because I don't think he beats Usyk or Fury."
Jack Bradley
BBN Writer
“I’d absolutely understand AJ and his team wanting to take the immediate rematch, but such was the manner of the loss that I think it would be beneficial for him to take a step back from that idea for now.
After doing well in the middle rounds to make the fight close again, I thought AJ looked a defeated man when Usyk took the ninth convincingly. He broke his heart. As such, I think AJ should take a bit of a ‘lighter touch’ in his next fight – a rebuilding fight. Get that out the way, get your confidence back, and focus on getting into a position to fight the winner of a possible heavyweight unification fight somewhere down the line.”
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"I think he should.
It baffled me that he would attempt to box with the master boxer, as if to show everyone how much his skills have improved. However, there is a skill to fighting too. Knowing how to close the gap faster, rough opponents up on the inside, holding and leaning. It's not pretty but it is effective when fighting smaller opponents, especially one as technically exceptional as Usyk.
AJ did have success to the body and facial damage was visible on Usyk's face at the final bell. Just imagine what could be achieved if the Brit committed more to his offense and emphasised an aggressive strategy to make every attack a painful one for Usyk?
I think he has the tools but does he have the execution? If so, it could make for a highly compelling rematch that could look a lot different to the first."
Mick Kane
Boxing/MMA Writer
"I imagine AJ and Eddie Hearn will exercise an immediate rematch, and although Usyk won quite convincingly I think AJ will believe he can overcome the Ukrainian. If AJ comes out quicker, uses his weight advantage by leaning and holding Usyk then he might tire Usyk, however I believe that Usyk will still prevail in a rematch.
Usyk showed he is a supremely talented boxer and if Tyson Fury beats Wilder, I would love to see a Fury-Usyk fight take place."
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of Buy My Fight
"If I was Joshua, I’d absolutely activate the rematch even if its purely financial reasons. If he can’t find a way to win again, then he might as well go out to confirm Usyk is 100% the best whilst picking up a pay check.
However, I still think Joshua can win. He didn’t use the right tools for the job and tried to box. He cannot match Usyk or the likes of Fury if he’s going to stand there for 12 rounds boxing. Just isn’t going to happen. But, if he pays zero respect to the resume in front of him and uses brute power, he’ll do a job on almost anyone. He needs to think like he did in the first 17 fights."
Daniel Smith
BBN Writer
"Joshua attempted to beat a savvy pugilist at his own game and ended up with second prize in a two-man race. Usyk was, and holistically will be, too cute for Joshua should the rematch come to fruition, and should AJ once again, try to weave magical fists upon a boxing sorcerer like Oleksandr Usyk.
I believe AJ should activate the rematch clause – why not? By avoiding a second fight and taking another route to claim victory, he may be in danger of losing his credibility, whilst exposing psychological vulnerabilities for other fighters to capitalize on. Although, I doubt aligning himself to a domestic dust-up with Dillian Whyte would be a negative move, and it is certainly a bout that would draw massive attention.
But who knows what the future holds the heavies? Is it possible Joshua turns gangster on Usyk in the rematch, imposing, bulling, and bullying his man around the ring? Maybe Fury switches off for a split second and ends up being put to sleep by Wilder. And maybe Whyte underestimates Wallin and suffers his third professional loss.
I suppose this is why we love it."
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