The winner of the first season of the World Boxing Super Series in the super middleweight division, and now a fighter in the light heavyweight division (up to 79.4 kg) British Callum Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) in
interview shared his opinion for local media on the rematch scheduled for August 20 between the unified heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) and former British champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) .
Note that Smith himself will box against the Frenchman Mathieu Boderlinck (21-1, 12 KOs) on the undercard of this show – they will determine the WBC light heavyweight contender.
You were on the Great Britain team with Joshua and will be on the undercard of his rematch with Usyk. What does Joshua have to do to change everything?
“I don’t want to sound like a coach because there are a million of them on social media and they know everything better than the people in his corner. But I think it’s pretty obvious that he needs to do something different than the first time. I think he needs to be a little more aggressive but also be smart. He needs to use his size, make the fight uncomfortable for Usyk on a permanent basis.
But I also believe Usyk will adapt. They both went 12 rounds with each other so I think we will see different versions of both fighters. But it goes to show that Joshua needs to impose his size a little more, fight more, make Usyk uncomfortable in the ring, not let Usyk fight at his pace, which I’m sure he did last time. But it’s interesting. I would like him to do it. Will he do it? I’m not very sure. But it’s a good fight. Let’s hope I can sit down and enjoy the way they both do their thing.
- The fighter who defeated Usyk in the amateurs: “Joshua is afraid to miss”
You and Joshua both worked with Rob McCracken.
– Yes.
Both of you recently changed coaches. Joshua got rid of Rob. What do you think about this? Is this a smart move at this stage of his career?
— Yes, to tell the truth. Because I don’t think it’s the right time to do it, especially when you’re fighting at a high level and every fight is important. Therefore, there will never be a really good time to change coaches. Obviously, he sensed problems. Sometimes these changes are beneficial. I felt the huge benefits of changing coaches, and I feel everything in a new way. I feel every day in the gym that I have to impress. I remember this when I work on the paws, I keep thinking about how he evaluates me. I have to prove it every day. I need to show myself to get compliments. It’s like I’m a teenager again. It reminds me of my time in the Great Britain team when I needed to improve in order to secure a place and be selected. I feel this drive in the hall every day. This can only benefit you. It might get a little more out of you. Joshua chose a good coach – Robert Garcia, so fingers crossed – we will see some improvements.
