John Conteh MBE: “It will be a tough fight because Usyk’s an experienced fighter. But at the highest level, I would go with Anthony”
Liverpool legend John Conteh MBE, a former WBC light-heavyweight champion during the 70's and Commonwealth Gold medallist, is well positioned to give his view on this weekend's heavyweight battle between unified defending champion Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22KOs) and WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk 18-0, 13KOs).
Speaking at the annual charity golf day for Great Ormond Street Hospital, former boxing champion John Conteh said:
Anthony Joshua should have too much power for Usyk in upcoming fight
Joshua vs Fury would be a tremendous fight
Evander Holyfield needs to let go of boxing career
KSI and Jake Paul are great for boxing
Conteh was speaking at the Maurice Newman GOSH charity golf day:
John Conteh: Joshua is powerful and experienced and should beat Usyk
“He’s a great fighter, Anthony, a fit lad, strong, powerful, experienced, and when he makes a mistake or gets beaten he comes back twice as strong. I think he’s going to win this next fight. It will be a tough fight because Usyk’s an experienced fighter. But at the highest level, I would go with Anthony.”
John Conteh: Joshua vs Fury would be a tremendous fight, but picking a winner is impossible
“I hope we’ll see Joshua and Tyson Fury fight again. As long as Tyson’s in great shape, he’s so experienced and he’s got an all-round game. It would be such a tremendous fight but with Joshua doing so well and preparing himself for fights such as the Usyk one now, that’s the best way to get in shape to fight for the title. Who would win? I couldn’t really say, because they’re both going in at that high level. Either of them could win.”
John Conteh: Evander Holyfield’s time is up – he needs to let go of boxing career
“It’s difficult to let go when you’ve been up there. It’s like Icarus in a way: you fly too close to the sun and then your wings fall off. You're past it, it’s over, it’s gone and a younger guy’s going to come through, just like you did. I was lucky that I got out at the right time.”
John Conteh: KSI and Jake Paul are great for boxing – it’s all about business and commercialism
“I haven’t seen KSI or Jake Paul boxing – I’m too busy playing golf – but I think it’s great because it’s commercial stuff, it’s business, it’s entertainment. If the people want it and there’s a platform there to produce it, why not? First of all, boxing is entertainment. In relation to the rest of the game – who’s the greatest fighter, who’s the champion – that’s all there anyway. It’s like divisions and versions of the title. It’s great for the viewers to have the choices and that’s why it’s there.”
John Conteh: Money and TV coverage has changed boxing
“The amount of money involved has changed since I stopped fighting. You put a Sky TV camera in the room and you can beam it around the world. When I was fighting you had to rely on the big events for big money. Then there’s all the versions of the title and weight."
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