Popular boxing expert, TV commentator, former world champion in two weight categories from the USA Paul Malignaggi gave
interview for the British media.
In a conversation, Malignaggi expressed his opinion about the future rematch between the unified heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) and ex-champion from Britain Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs). The boxing analyst also commented on the possible impact of the military invasion of Ukraine by the invaders from the Russian Federation on the psychological state of Alexander in revenge.
Joshua seems to have made some small changes to his training camp. What does he need to do to beat Usyk?
“I think he needs to show himself as a heavyweight physically. But easier said than done. Because you still have to go that distance, get close to Usyk. In my personal opinion, you need to kind of make him feel your weight, use the advantage in strength. But to do this, you need to close this distance. And Usyk has fast legs, and Usyk knows how to meet you on the way. So it’s not easy to be a big guy, because you still have to find a way to close the distance in order to be able to show yourself as a bigger fighter.
As we saw in the first fight, Joshua was far from that distance. He had difficulty showing himself to be a bigger fighter. It hurt him that he is a big guy on the course because he is slower. Therefore, you need to calculate this distance, be a little more deceptive. It’s not that easy because Usyk has a lot of tricks up his sleeve when it comes to understanding and keeping that distance in a comfortable position for him.
Usyk’s promoter about his weight: “When you expect the bombing, you don’t want to eat”
– With everything that is happening in Ukraine now … Usyk returned there to defend his country. Obviously, there is still oppression to this day. He needs to take his mind off it now, have a training camp and fight Joshua in a rematch. Psychologically, will he be in the right frame of mind?
– I think yes. Such situations tend to stimulate these guys even more. They give a little more meaning to fights. Ukrainians are very patriotic and want to protect their people. I think it must have distracted him at first, but I think he will be ready to fight. There will be more at stake in his head. He wants to make his people proud. Look at Lomachenko. He voluntarily gave up the opportunity to become the undisputed champion. We know how much he wanted it. He talked about it all the time. For him to give it up, stay in Ukraine and fight for his country – you see how much it means to this type of guys. Therefore, I think Usyk may feel this pressure and put this pressure on himself. Because he wants his people to be proud.
