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In less than three weeks, on August 20, the long-awaited rematch between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usik will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Unlike last year’s fight, when Usyk surprised the boxing world by winning on points, this time most experts and bookmakers consider the Ukrainian boxer as the favorite. Joshua’s compatriot Haye believes that the British boxer will be able to win.
“Also last time I thought Joshua would win, but I don’t think he used a strategy that would allow him to win. He used probably the worst tactic in a fight against a southpaw – he kept his distance and [Usika] acted very respectfully nearby. The referee never once warned Anthony of potential points being deducted,” Hayes said.
The former cruiser and the champion of the super heavyweight division also believes that this time Joshua will have to use an extraordinary strategy to win the fight.
“Anthony is surrounded by a team that will “instill” in him the awareness that from the first minute this should not be a boxing match, but a real fight.
He should be very close to losing points or even disqualification. That’s how much Anthony needs to show his physical superiority, because his athleticism is second to none in the super heavyweight division,” Hayes emphasized.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, previously gave similar advice to his boxer.
“Him [Usiks] has to be pushed back just like Derek Chisora did. Watch the first rounds of Chisora’s fight. Usik was on the ropes. [Džošua] he must be returned there. You have to get him to the ropes at least with rugby elements. He will be an easy target there,” Hearn was sure.
Usik has 19 fights in his professional boxing career, all won, 13 of them by knockout. Joshua, on the other hand, has had 26 fights in professional boxing, of which he won 24, 22 of them by knockout.
