Eleven months after losing his unified heavyweight championship against Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Usyk had an instantaneous rematch in August 2022. This time around AJ put forth a more spirited effort, however it still was not enough.
Usyk again proved too quick, too expert, too smart, and too durable. It was one other clear and decisive victory for Usyk, although strangely enough, this time around it was officially a split decision. The previous two-time champion’s profession had reached an all time low, having lost 3 of his last 5 fights.
Lower than 2 years later, the script has flipped, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Anthony Joshua has resurrected his profession. In an 11 month span, between April of last 12 months and this past weekend, AJ has won 4 in a row, which is amazing in a day and age where top heavyweights typically only fight a couple of times a 12 months. Last April was when it began, when AJ won a workmanlike 12 round unanimous decision against Jermaine Franklin. Last August AJ was speculated to have a rematch against Dillian Whyte, but as an alternative he faced late alternative opponent Robert Helenius, whom he knocked out in round 7. Then last December within the major event on the Boxing Day of Reckoning, AJ thoroughly outclassed Otto Wallin, and the fight was stopped by Wallin’s corner after round 5 concluded. And eventually last weekend, Joshua made quick work of Francis Ngannou, dropping him 3 times, the last of which resulted in a powerhouse knockout for AJ in round 2.
Meanwhile, WBC and lineal world heavyweight champion is scheduled to square off against unified IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. This rivalry is predicted to last at the least two fights, and theoretically, the winner of the primary fight would grow to be the primary undisputed world heavyweight champion for the reason that great Lennox Lewis last held that distinction 25 years ago. Joshua made quick work of his last two opponents, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, each of whom gave Fury a difficult challenge. Within the event Fury wins the rivalry with Usyk, Joshua is perfectly positioning himself as a logical challenger for Tyson Fury, in what would perhaps grow to be the most important fight in boxing history.
This edition of Rummy’s Corner will provide a fast review of Joshua’s 4 fight winning streak, including his dramatic 2nd round knockout against Francis Ngannout last weekend. Please watch and luxuriate in the video for one man’s opinion. That is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).
