The promoter of the former world heavyweight champion British Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) Eddie Hearn is sure that the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) in the upcoming rematch will not be content with the role of number two and will try to stop Joshua ahead of schedule.
Recall that the Ukrainian won the first fight in September last year on points in London, and the second meeting is scheduled for August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
On this topic: Usyk-Joshua Fight Week 2 – All the news about the megafight on August 20.
“You always have to adjust against Usyk,” Hearn said in an interview.
BBC. Usyk is not stupid. He knows that Joshua is going to be more aggressive in this fight and I think based on the size of Usyk Alexander will try to take down Joshua. I guess he doesn’t want Joshua to force him to back off. In my opinion, Usyk will try to keep the center of the ring, stay close to AJ and put him down. I am sure that this fight will be completed in 6 rounds, because this is exactly the period for which Joshua should damage Usyk.
The promoter is sure that the reason for the defeat of his ward in the first fight was the wrong tactics.
“Before the (first) fight, all I heard from Joshua was that he was going to outbox him, and it pissed me off, because the only correct tactic against Usyk, in my opinion, is to damage him as early as possible. Look at the state of Usyk’s face after the first fight. If you rewatch the fight, every time Joshua hit him with a punch, Usyk didn’t like it. Watch Usyk vs Chisora. I have never seen this man (Usyk) feel so uncomfortable in the ring. Here’s what you should do. You can’t let this guy catch his rhythm.”
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk spoke about his feelings before the rematch with Joshua, and also answered a question about his current weight.
- Oleksandr Usyk – Anthony Joshua: forecast and bets for the fight on August 20
