Heavyweight prospect (up to 90.7 kg) of Nigerian origin from the UK Mikael Laval (15-0, 9 KOs) in
interview told the local media about the participation in two training camps of the current unified champion of the heavyweight division (over 90.7 kg) Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs).
Mikael praised Alexander’s mental abilities in the ring, noted that it would be difficult for fighters to cope with this in the heavyweight division, and also commented on Usyk’s upcoming rematch against former British champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), which is scheduled for August 20 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
– I read that you sparred with Usyk.
– Yes.
– This is true?
– Yes.
– How it was?
“Actually, I did two camps with him. It was one of the hardest sparring sessions I have ever had. Not in terms of strength or anything like that, but when it came to boxing IQ. He is very, very smart.
- Would have beaten Usyk playfully – Johnny Nelson
I assume it was at heavyweight when he was still heavyweight?
– Yes exactly. It was very hard.
What do you think about his move to the heavyweight division with this skill set and boxing IQ?
A lot of heavyweights will have a hard time with that because even when I started sparring heavyweights it was a lot easier. Because they are much slower and we are fast and we have heavyweight power. Usyk did a good job when he beat Joshua. I’m looking forward to the rematch. There will be a good fight.
Will he beat him again?
“I can’t say for sure. In my opinion, this is still a 50 vs 50 fight. It can end with the victory of any fighter. Of course, Joshua needs to change his plan for the fight. If he wants to win, he probably needs to use his weight, use it to his advantage, I think he needs to act in that vein.
- How Joshua beat Usyk in a rematch – Andy Ruiz’s opinion