AJ (Anthony Joshua) did not have a good fight yesterday! To a large extent, that was an upset. Like his first loss, he might have underrated Oleksandr Usyk. Congrats to the Ukrainian who now holds the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles. Usyk improves to 19-0 with 13 KOs while AJ drops to 24-2, with 22 KOs.
Boxing could be likened to a new entrant entering a new market with the title defender the incumbent, and upstart boxer the new entrant [Michael Porter’s forces – threat of a new entrant]. If you do not close that entrant in 18 months, you are done. Using Mike Tyson playbook (everyone has a strategy until you knock him), you must close your challenger within 3 rounds. If you do not, you could be worn down and lose the match.
Check great boxing matches, either you close quickly or your title is on the line. So, an entrant has to find a way to survive the first 3 rounds. For Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr., if he does not close out in 3 rounds, he changes to endurance boxing where he is one of the best in the world (the spirit no one can lay hands on!). Floyd’s boxing is a great example on how to protect a business castle through a deepened moat. I like to watch him because of his speed to punch and also the ability to maneuver whatever anyone throws at him. No wonder he is undefeated!
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AJ – we no dey carry last. Get back the belts. You remain a champion – it takes the killing of one tiger to be called the killer of tigers, the Igbo proverb says. You have already won many and will remain a champion any day.
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Comment: ”If you do not close that entrant in 18 months, you are done.” Interesting comparison between boxing and the Innovator’s dilemma, Ndubuisi Ekekwe ?. However, I am curious as to how you came about the ”fixed/definite” 18-months timeframe for incumbents to ”close” or overcome new entrants in an emerging market, especially as critics of Clayton Christensen (based on his book – The Innovator’s Solution) suggest that the social aspects of a market are dynamic and continue to change even if the new innovation/technology in question is somewhat ”fixed/definite”.
My Response: Pick any product category, look at those that survived by introducing a product to keep the moat strong. Those that waited excess of 18 months, typically struggle to catch up. Ford, Toyota/Tesla, Digital Cam/Kodak, etc, Union Bank Nigeria/ GTBank, etc
But look at those who kept their seats like P&G, JnJ, Facebook always respond in 6 months or earlier, etc. Pick sectors with radical innovators and impacts. My data is 18 months and that is what I tell company Boards. And I have tons of data to back that up, looking at introduction and response.
Dangote responds even faster (9 months if you watch). When Lafarge brought Michel and the man cut CEO wage by 10%, reduced staff cost by 49% and delivered 1,429% perfect profit, Dangote quickly closed and hired him. That was the right response!
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He slipped, yet, he would rise. However, this humbling moment is for a greater good.
For him: It’s a reminder that he is human and should not drag the titles of the God’s.
For all: When(note: not if) he eventually rise, it would be a subtle signal of encouragement that we could rise after a fall. It is believed that seeing someone stage a comeback is the greatest of all encouragement!
AJ should watch Tiger woods clips, it would strengthen him.
That said, to business, which is why we are always here burning data:
One of small companies (startup) advantage is that they are easily underestimated, and like boxing they would win the big because that play from a resource disadvantage position so they innovate hard.
It must be noted that it is not the hardest punch that bring victory, rather, it the UNEXPECTED punch.
Nokia, Microsoft’s failure to pivot smartphone due to anti- trust distraction, BlackBerry, etc are all lesson that nothing kills greatness like DISTRACTION, and COMPLACENCY.
Congratulations again on the $$ wins, where is the party this time?