famous American coach Manny Robles in
interview for local media commented on the victory of Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) over the unified British champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in September last year, and also spoke about the upcoming rematch on August 20.
For some reason, the specialist called the first fight “close”, and in terms of revenge, he agrees with the opinion of the majority that Joshua needs to use his physical advantages to defeat Usyk.
– Usyk-Joshua rematch will take place very soon. I want to hear your thoughts and predictions for this fight because the first fight was a bit shocking in what Usyk did to Joshua.
Styles make fights. You can’t take anything away from Usyk. Usyk was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, he had many belts. For those of us who know the sport and know boxing, know who Usyk is, it certainly wasn’t a sensation. Before the first fight, I chose Joshua to win by decision, but I also said that it would be a very good close fight, which happened. It was a good close fight and I expect another good close fight in the rematch. I will stick with my mount and choose Joshua again. Moreover, Robert Garcia is currently working with Joshua. I’m sure he will give him the key to victory.
— You spoke for Robert Garcia. I spoke to him about a month ago in San Antonio and he said, “Just basic boxing, the basics. He has the jab, height can be a big advantage.” He kind of said that we should use height as an advantage over Usyk. Do you believe this is one of the best tactics in this fight?
– 100%. I think that was the key to winning before the first fight. I’m sure Joshua, being the bigger and more physically strong of the two, didn’t use it. He was most likely outboxed in the end, not even likely, but definitely outboxed at the end of that fight, when it was most important.
I agree with Robert. I think he has the right plan for the fight, he has the right idea to use physical attributes. Joshua is a gifted fighter, a talented fighter like Usyk, but bigger than him. I believe he is bigger and physically stronger and is able to use that in the second fight. I am blessed and happy that my fighter will be boxing on that card, so I will be in Saudi Arabia. She will also make history that night, she will be the first woman to fight in Saudi Arabia. This is something that hasn’t happened before.
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