In a recent interview, former two-division world champion Michael Moorer expressed his concerns about Anthony Joshua’s fighting style. Moorer believes that Joshua is lacking the crucial element of ‘dog’ in his approach to the sport. According to Moorer, Joshua often appears to be trying too hard to be perfect with his hands and punches, overthinking his moves instead of acting naturally in the ring.
Moorer goes on to suggest that if Joshua could embody the aggressive instincts that defined his own successful career, he would have a much better chance of dominating the heavyweight division. One of the major factors contributing to Joshua’s struggles, in Moorer’s opinion, is his tendency to frequently change trainers. This constant shifting places Joshua in the position of constantly adapting to new training systems, hindering his ability to develop a consistent and effective fighting style.
The Need for Aggression
Moorer emphasizes the importance of having a killer instinct in a fighter like Joshua. He criticizes Joshua for not possessing the necessary aggression to truly excel in the sport. Moorer points out that Joshua lacks the mentality of going into the ring with the intention of inflicting damage on his opponent, a mindset that is essential for success in the brutal world of boxing.
As Moorer puts it, Joshua needs to embrace a more ruthless approach to his fights, not just focusing on technical perfection but also taking risks and seizing opportunities to dominate his opponents. Without this critical element, Joshua may struggle to reach the heights of his potential and could face serious challenges in his upcoming bout against Francis Ngannou.
The Threat of Ngannou
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, poses a significant threat to Joshua with his impressive power and ability to absorb punishment. Moorer warns that if Joshua fails to tap into his aggressive side and instead fights cautiously, he could be in danger of being overwhelmed by Ngannou’s relentless attack. The outcome of this fight could have a major impact on Joshua’s career trajectory, potentially leading to significant changes in his coaching staff and overall approach to the sport.
Michael Moorer’s critique of Anthony Joshua’s fighting style highlights the importance of embracing aggression and a killer instinct in the ring. Joshua’s ability to overcome his tendency to overthink and instead channel his inner ‘dog’ could determine his success in the sport and shape the future of his career. It remains to be seen whether Joshua will heed Moorer’s advice and make the necessary adjustments to rise to the challenge posed by opponents like Ngannou.