Opinions of experts about the rematch between Usyk and Joshua two months before the fight
On Tuesday, June 21, WBA / WBO / IBF / IBF world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and British boxer Anthony Joshua, from whom the Ukrainian took away the titles last fall, held the first duel of views before the rematch scheduled for August 20 in Dzhedeh.
According to many experts, Usyk won the first mental battle against Joshua – speaking first at the press conference and directly at the duel of views. This is an important factor, because, according to many experts, it is psychology that will come to the fore in the second duel between the Ukrainian and the British. Sport Arena collected the opinions of boxing experts regarding Usyk-Joshua rematch.
Oleksandr Usyk, WBA/WBO/IBF/IBF world champion
“As you know, my country is going through hard times, but we are doing everything possible to achieve our goal. I never rushed loud and pretentious speeches. All I do is work hard in the training camp, and I will do it until the day of the fight. And then I will go into the ring and please you with my boxing. You know, the reason for my happiness lies not in the championship belts, but in my family, children and the wonderful team that surrounds me.
Anthony Joshua, former WBA/WBO/IBF/IBF world champion
“The coolest thing is that I got a second chance. If you know my story, then you know that I am the comeback king. I can fall, but no one can hold me down, because I am always full of spirit. Even in the most difficult times, I know that in the end everything will be fine. On August 20th, I can’t wait to put on a show for everyone who comes to the arena.”
Robert Garcia, Joshua’s trainer
“On the 20th of August we are going to do everything in our power to get the titles back. Anthony can do it. He’s bigger, physically stronger, has longer arms, and we plan to take advantage of that. Usyk is an amazing fighter. He has skills, reflexes, accuracy. But I think Anthony has all the tools to beat him.”
Oleksandr Krasyuk, Usyk’s promoter
“It took us a lot of effort and will to make this happen. In February and March, we had to face a new challenge – the war in our country. We were not sure that this fight would take place. But, finally, we got together and decided to join the battle. Now we are proud to represent our country, Ukraine, here. May the strongest win. See you again for the undisputed championship.”
Teddy Atlas, ex-coach of Mike Tyson and Oleksandr Gvozdyk
“Usyk is older than Joshua, but sometimes you judge age differently. To me, Joshua is probably getting older in the sense that he is content with himself in certain areas of making money. I think that for a guy like Usyk, the main thing is not money, but a fight. It seems to me that for him the main thing is honor and pride. Now there’s the X factor. I think that the main thing for Usyk is his people. A terrible war against Russia is going on in Ukraine, and Usyk is Ukrainian, he lives there. He may become attached to that which fights for his people. I’m sure he will. In a certain sense, Usyk is fighting for the Ukrainian people.”
Tyson Fury, WBC World Heavyweight Champion
“The first fight between Usyk and Joshua was not one-sided. Of course, Joshua can hit him with a powerful punch. But I think Usyk is just too good, smart and fast for him, plus he’s left-handed. We have seen many times that anyone can win. And now is a good moment to beat Usyk, isn’t it? He spent about 18 months in the war. If ever he will not be in a good mood, then this is the time. However, I think Usyk is too good a boxer for Joshua.”
Mark Ramsey, Coach of WBC/WBA/WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev
“I think Usyk will win. Usyk is a very smart guy, a very good analyst. I think it will be easier for him in a rematch. You can’t let these guys figure out who you are. The fact is that Joshua had chances to beat him in the first fight, and now Alexander got a taste of him.”
David Price, British heavyweight
“If Joshua chooses the aggressive path, it will be open. I think Usyk hits hard enough to knock him out. As for me, he miscalculated Joshua in the first fight. Joshua is able to end the fight as he is a great finisher, but Usyk is just like the Matrix. He showed a different style that is not often seen.”
Joe Joyce, British heavyweight
“Usyk will know exactly what it takes to beat Joshua again. It depends on Anthony whether he can fight the way he should have in the first fight and correct his mistakes. Usyk is a very skilled fighter, with good head movement, footwork and boxing intelligence, he has a very calculated approach. But, of course, Joshua is bigger and stronger, he has a more powerful punch. I think Usyk can knock out Joshua.”
Mike Murrer, former world heavyweight champion
“Usyk is a phenomenal boxer. There is no one I see as a favorite against him as Usyk has the height, reach and he knows how to fight. None of today’s fighters will beat Usyk, because he has a great school. He boxed as an amateur throughout his career, opposed various styles. He can fight anybody and beat him.”
Tony Bellew, former WBC cruiserweight world champion
“Joshua has to use size, speed and strength, but he has to do it right. Only in this case will he force Usyk to pay attention to him and make it clear that Alexander is dealing with another fighter. Let Usyk know from the very beginning that he is going to have a tough fight.”
Shannon Briggs, former world heavyweight champion
“Usyk goes through what he goes through, there is a war going on in his country. I hope that he recovers from what is happening in his country. But it’s probably the right time for Joshua to pounce on Usyk and take him warm. However, Usyk is an incredible champion. He’s hard to beat, he’s a tough guy. Usyk is left-handed, he is able to strike from different angles. He has incredible stamina. How to beat a guy like him? It is necessary to cut, fight. Who knows? I don’t even know how to defeat him. Hard to say”.
What the bookies say
They consider Oleksandr Usyk the favorite for the second fight against Anthony Joshua. For the victory of the Ukrainian you can bet with odds of 1.45. You can bet on the British ex-world champion for 2.95. You can bet on a draw for a solid 21.00.
Oleksandr Usyk
Fight for world heavyweight titles
20.08.2022
24:00
Anthony Joshua
Where to watch the fight
The second duel between the Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and British Anthony Joshua will officially take place on August 20 this year in Saudi Jeddah. The boxers will once again fight for the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight title.
The rematch between Usyk and Joshua will be broadcast live on the DAZN streaming platform and will be broadcast on the PPV (pay-per-view) system.
, based on materials from Fightnews, Tru School Sports, Boxingnews24, Sky Sports
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
