Redemption or Reproach: You Choose!
A couple of times we overestimate our strength and get stretched beyond repair. Coming back from the breaking point is never easy, but some people will drum lies into our ears and make us feel invisible despite knowing the damage is done. The day of reckoning is now very close, and the outcome is scaring me to death right now.
Boxing is never an easy sport to follow, the consistent changing of guard made sure of that. One minute your favourite boxer is knocking everyone out, the next minute you're worried he may not even box again after getting stung with a punch out of nowhere. Despite their broken eye sockets and bloodied mouths, we urge them on and they get back to the ring to do what they love. For some, their life never remains the same after sustaining serious injuries.
Due to my sleight frame, I took up boxing in my teenage years as a means to defend myself against those willing to pick on me. When you love something you develop a following for it. And, you find someone to look up to in your quest to become better at what you love. Growing up, I watched the relatively short Mike Tyson. His explosive style made him a menace to opponents. Either you beat him or you get beaten, you are definitely in for a serious fight.
Tyson's numerous demons and misdemeanors relegated him from being a perfect role model, his regular battles with the law contradicted my beliefs. Yet, his style is one to study. Since he quit serious boxing I've followed a couple others, mostly heavyweight boxers. The Klitschkos dominated the division for long, but I never really enjoyed their methodic approach to dismantling opponents.
In September 2005, Wladimir Klitschko defeated Samuel Peter by unanimous decision, but Samuel Peter won my heart. I felt the Nigerian should've won the fight. When Peter defeated Oleg Maskaev to win the WBC Heavyweight Championship in 2008, my joy knew no bounds. But, the punishment he endured at the hands of the Klitschko brothers effectively ended his career. In heavyweight boxing, changing of guards is constant.
I followed the sport passively from then till Anthony Joshua rekindled my interest after defeating Wladimir Klitschko. His win against Wladimir was more like a revenge for what the Ukrainian did to my former favourite, Samuel Peter. Also, he ticked the box of hard hitting, knockout ditching boxers I've grown accustomed to.
Following the sport, and Joshua, has been an emotional rollercoaster ever since. The couple fights he won made me happy, but each of those fights exposed his weaknesses. This isn't amateur boxing. At the top level, weaknesses are ruthlessly exposed and exploited. Despite Joshua's dominance, his weaknesses were a concern.
Andy Ruiz, the unfancied Mexican, was the first to capitalize on those weaknesses in 2019, springing an upset of epic proportions to claim all four belts from Joshua. Even though Joshua rallied to win the rematch, his approach in the December 2019 rematch showed a fearful and cautious side of his game.
The heavyweight division has since been dominated by the retired Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Joshua. That changed when Joshua lost to Usyk last September. Once again, it was an upset. Once again, it was painful because my now favourite boxer lost to another Ukrainian who has the backing of the Klitschkos.
In three days, Joshua will face Usyk again. While I was very optimistic in the days leading to the rematch against Ruiz, for this fight I'm really scared. Just like his once dominant compatriots, Usyk is a classy boxer with all manners of combination. Joshua, on the other hand, is limited. Talks about his glass jaw and packed muscles tiring him out and making it hard for him to go the distance in peak physical conditions always resurfaced.
As August 20 draws closer, my fear grows significantly. A second defeat will put Joshua's career in total disarray. He will be relegated to the midfield, and that's very hard to stomach for a once dominant boxer. Another win will make him a three-times heavyweight champion, a significant achievement despite the dearth of top class performers in the heavyweight division in recent years.
On Saturday, will it be redemption or reproach for Joshua? I can only hope and pray.
Image Credit: https://pixabay.com/images/id-6824601/
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Ummm very interesting post! I am going to watch Joshua's fight
The fight will be very interesting. Usyk is scarily good.
Yay! 🤗
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Very detailed post. I saw AJ's tweet a few days back. I hope he can bring back the belt. But no one is sure. AJ has his ups and downs and its scary to watch.
Despite my love for AJ, the way he was picked apart by Usyk the last time out is getting me nervous. Usyk looks to be the favourite right now.
Very much...under dogs have their day though.
Like you said...winning gives the opponent information on how to beat you..lets hope AJ studies his opponent.
I sincerely hope AJ has studied his opponent well enough to win this one. My fear is that the dude he is facing looks more skilled.
For example, Wilder faced Fury three times. The first ended as a draw, despite Fury being completely overweight and unfit. The last two fights, Fury outmatched Wilder.
If one is facing a better, more skilled opponent the chance of winning is slim. Usyk looked like a more skilled fighter in the first fight. Can AJ match him? That's the worry.
I guess we'll find out tomorrow...
Boxing is one sport that I don't so much enjoy watching but I had to learn a little about taekwondo for self-defense. For one to overcome, one needs to be focused and use every available opportunity to strike.
Thanks for sharing
Boxing is actually an entertaining sports. It doesn't has a lot of following like football and other widely followed sports because it looks like it endorses violence.
Thanks for reading.
Hi, @mckane,
I've never been a boxing fan, but your very obvious enchantment with the sport drew me in to this essay about it. Thanks for an enjoyable and informative read.
😄😇😉
Thanks for enjoying the post. Boxing is actually an entertaining sports. You can check it out more often as a neutral.
Jesus! You're making my heart race and I've never really watched boxing. But look at me, living with your characters. I feel I should watch now just because of the post!!! From Dreemport
You really should watch tomorrow's fight. Joshua will be getting all the love from Nigerians, home and abroad. I can only hope he makes us proud like he has done before.
Okay. What channel?
I feel Joshua is too handsome to be in the sport. Maybe that part of his weakness. The game is for guys who had lived in the ghettos.
On 20th August, something big in the world of boxing will happen and it will be the next event that will turn the tide.
I wish Joshua could look at the just completed commonwealth games and make us happy back home.
#dreemport led me here.
Unlike mean folks such as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, AJ looks too gentle for a boxer. He doesn't look like a troublemaker at all.😂
In boxing there are good days and not so good ones. I think Anthony Joshua is going to win this. He has that winning mindset and he puts in a lot of work.
From dreemport
I hope he wins this. I'm only scared of the talent Usyk has displayed so far.
Thanks for the tip. I've tried adding pictures but just can't get it right. I will follow your instruction, and maybe I'll get it right the next time.
You write so well!
Again.
It's a hardcore sport and I honestly couldn't watch a big fight. Especially the heavy weights. So brutal.
You must be pretty fearless to have boxed. Did you fight at all?
I did a tiny bit of training. It makes you f*ckin fit! Unreal. Who knew??
I found this via Dreemport. glad I did! I've been a bit quiet this week...
I did a couple sparring, it was interesting. What I gained most from the sport is the courage to face any challenge either physical or emotional. I was quite fit back then too, and a little rebellious. 😂
I can imagine
It's a lot about overcoming fear I would suppose 👍
And wow does it get you fit!
From footie to boxing. This one is another sport often on the box in our home. My husband's dad & sister actually met Mike Tyson. They have a picture and everything. Lol!
We rooted for AJ in his last match and boy was it painful to watch. Not as painful as it was for him. But, I reckon you get my drift.
I came here from Dreemport 🤸
I would've loved to meet Mike Tyson. If he stays alive for quite some time we might wander across each other on the long run.
The last fight was quite painful. I was so relaxed and confident AJ will win. He was fighting a dude who only had probably two heavyweight bouts under his belt, and AJ was much taller so I was expecting him to use his reach to dismantle the guy. The way he was outboxed was jaw-dropping.
I hope he wins tonight.
Thanks for reading my post.🙌
You're welcome, @mckane. Sport isn't my go-to genre of choice but I still know a considerable amount about it. Osmosis!
I also like your style. 👍
Thanks for the compliment.
My dude lost last night.
Did you watch it? Sounds like Usyk won confidently even though it ended with a split decision.
Yes, I did. Usyk won confidently, he controlled the tempo of the fight all through. AJ is not the type to outpoint his opponent. His best weapon is to KO. Usyk knows that, he avoided that all through and won.
Watching AJ go berserk was embarrassing. He lost his cool and did nasty things after the bout. It's heartbreaking to see him cry during press conference.
It's the nature of the sport. Boxers are built up and can come to believe the hype. Then it all comes crashing down. At that point, reality sucks!
It is such a cruel sport. When a boxer wins everyone celebrates with them, but when they lose it's all on their own. The emotion is just too much.
What pained the most about AJ is that despite all his achievements in the sport, he still isn't rated as one of the best.. A win against Usyk would've shut those critics down. With this loss, he will never get the respect he deserves.