Boxing - Scrum analogy

On 22 Sep Anthony Joshua (AJ) had to defend his heavyweight champion titles against Alexander Povetkin. I decided to watch the fight, and analyze it from Agile mindset and Scrum perspective, and the crazy analogy follows:

Pre-fight / Release planning
Joshua have planned to defend his titles and advance his career by defeating Povetkin. He adjusted the training by prolonging his sleep time, scrapped the early-morning runs and started doing coordination exercises (eyes and movement). The other side of his training was focusing on heavy sparring sessions, he did over 200 rounds in eight weeks.

Povetkin has also planned for victory. Together with his team he planned a couple of training camps. A released video footage captured him hitting the punch-bag barehanded and doing pull-ups in a sturdy and decisive manner.

Round one / Sprint one
Back to the fight, Joshua started cautiously, pacing himself and was more on the defensive to probe and study the opponent’s strategy.

Povetkin’s goal for the round was different. He started strong, trying to get into close fights as much as he could and by the end of the round managed to catch Joshua with a great uppercut-hook combo, shaking his opponent backwards with a bleeding nose.

The sprint one goal was achieved by Povetkin, while Joshua left the round damaged.

Round two / Sprint two
Joshua seemed uncomfortable starting round 2. His opponent proved dangerous and managed to hurt him. Joshua was up to a stabilization and not letting the opponent do more damage.

Povetkin, encouraged by the sight of his hurt opponent, was going forward with explosive attacks, looking to do more damage and finish the job.

Although Povetkin won the score in round two, his sprint goal failed, as he didn’t manage to establish significant supremacy and deliver more punishment. On the other side, Joshua managed to stabilize and adequately defended himself.

Round three / Sprint three
There was a slow but confident start by Joshua. He was still more on the defensive but looking to punish every mistake of his opponent. After the mid round/sprint he got more aggressive and attacked with speed and precision.

Povetkin seemed to be discouraged. He tried hard but couldn’t find a way to do more damage and establish leadership. He couldn’t dominate and seemed a little tired, also lost in score.

Joshua sprint’s goal to come back strong and decisive was completed.

Round four / Sprint four
Joshua damaged nose was in control, his speed and movement regained. He managed to inflict a cut over Povetkin’s eye.

Povetkin felt desperate by his initial strategy failing, although he did not give up on going forward and looking for a close fight.

Sprint goal to slowly establish control completed by Joshua.

Round five / Sprint five
Joshua was getting more and more confident, his jab was finding the target’s body more often, and as annoying it could be, it exhausted Povetkin.

Povetkin seemed to try again sneaking in for a close fight, but unsuccessfully.

Joshua’s sprint goal for range dominance achieved.

Round six / Sprint six
Joshua managed to establish the desired tempo. His straight punches find the opponent’s head and body more often.

Povetkin seemed to be out of gas and was just accepting his opponent’s rhythm and style, which was devastating for his game plan. His guard was down more often.

Sprint goal completed for Joshua leading the tempo and the rhythm.

Round seven / Sprint seven + demo
Joshua started strong, attacking and probing his opponent for closure. At the middle of the round/sprint his cross found Povetkin’s chin. The Russian has been staggered and with a quick combo Joshua put him down.

Povetkin was slow and exhausted by Joshua’s never-ending precise jabs. His guard slipped and a heavy cross got him staggered. And… it was just a matter of seconds for him to go down for good and lose.

Sprint and release goal completed successfully by Joshua.

Post-fight / Review and Retrospective
Joshua’s demonstrated his cheerful and relaxing attitude over the press-conference. Confident, humble, respectful and grateful to his team effort. He shared lessons learned and retrospected on his boxing journey so far. Joshua revealed his ambitions and plans of becoming a boxing legend.

Povetkin was devastated by the lost but remained humble and respectful to the opponent.

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And just like in software development, the more sprint goals achieved the more of the ‘big picture’ is completed successfully. In this fight it was AJ who managed to inspect and adapt, after a slow and cautious start and achieve the ultimate victory.