Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Briton Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), on the eve of a rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), is trying to convince (himself? experts? fans? opponent?) that he is again found in himself the previously lost instinct of the killer and will certainly smear the opponent.
“I have a winning mentality. Is always, –
the applicant says. That’s the only way to prepare for battle. They refuse even the thought of a possible defeat. So I don’t even allow the thought that I can return to London without championship belts. I know I once said that belts mean nothing. But deep down I know that this is not so. I just want to win. I don’t want to come back empty-handed. Everything will work out. I believe in it”.
Joshua believes that “weight advantage means almost nothing in the ring. I think that things like skill and determination are much more important there. In the first fight, he weighed less, but he beat me. If I catch Usyk… (smiles) Last time I gave up my own style. I wanted to outbox my opponent, outplay him. Yes, on Saturday I’m going to smear it. That’s the mood I’m in right now.”
The rematch will take place on August 20 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and in the first fight (September last year, London, England), Usyk won by decision.
Coach James McGirt suggests that “the rematch will be better than the first fight.” And Usyk reacted to the prediction of Joshua winning in 6 rounds.
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