Experts
streaming DAZN Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora discussed the rematch for the WBA Super, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) and Briton Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), who will be held on August 20 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Observers were interested in the question, which has recently been increasingly raised by analysts and fans – will Joshua hang his gloves on a nail in the event of a second consecutive defeat to the Ukrainian? The first fight between them took place in September in London (England), Usyk won by decision of the judges.
Mora: This is fiction. I explain! Joshua is a world famous star. When you achieve such popularity and market value, regardless of the outcome of your next fight, the fans will continue to look forward to your fights with other opponents. For example, even if Usyk loses, I would like to see him fight Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. You can also have cool home fights with Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce. All these fights will make the fans salivate. So don’t talk about the fact that Joshua’s career is on the line right now. This is not true…
One more moment. Remember the greatest heavyweights. Most of their greatest fights have already passed the career peak – this is Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. But that hasn’t stopped them from showing huge pay-per-view sales results. Same thing with Joshua.
Mannix: Partially agree with you. Joshua will have options if he loses, especially in Britain. But it will no longer be top-level. Obviously, his career will be close to completion. If he loses, it will be the third defeat in the last five fights. He may have to do some recovery fights to regain confidence in his abilities. He will earn at the top level, but will no longer be the elite heavyweight that he has been for the past 4-5 years. Fury fight? But it all depends on the result with Usyk. The scale of a possible fight with Fury depends on the outcome of the rematch. In the event of a victory, it will be something huge, in the event of a defeat, it will be an ordinary defense. The same with the fight against Wilder. Not to compare with the hype that was before.
Mora: Disagree. Viewers will still want to see him against those who are stronger on paper. The audience needs a star. They need a fighter they’ve heard about. It’s not about intrigue, but about market value. And Joshua will still be able to take the title and become a three-time world champion. But to do this with Usyk will not be easy. I think it is stylistically convenient for Ukrainians.
Mannix: Let me remind you that he will have three defeats in his last five fights. His self-confidence will collapse completely. He will no longer have a chance to return the victorious fuse that he received in a fight with Wladimir Klitschko. All this will go away. It will take time to regain confidence. Yes, heavyweights are most often centenarians. But can he ever return to the elite level? I’m not sure…
Mora: He is 32 years old. For a heavyweight, this is almost a young man. He was not beaten in the ring. Except in the first fight with Andy Ruiz. Usyk outboxed him, but did not beat him. Therefore, I believe that he still has a lot of fuel in the gas tank. And his power will not disappear anywhere. And with such power, you can box for many more years. It’s just Usyk is a stylistic nightmare for Joshua. I think after the loss he needs to continue to fight with the same punchers as himself. No need to choose small ex-cruisers who move so well, confuse the angles of attacks, and even lefties and are so accurate in their strikes. Such fighters will become stylistic nightmares for everyone. Any fighter will tell you that…
Promoter Joshua also commented on the rumors that if defeated, the Briton will end his career: “It will be a shock!” And the US Olympic medalist said: “I look like Usyk, Joshua is perfect for sparring. Tonight he took his second victory in the pro: video.
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