Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 predictions and reactions to fight announcement
History-making unified World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13KO) will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles on the line against former champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 20KO) in their eagerly awaited rematch in the coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, August 20.
With many talking points to discuss, BBN asked their panel of boxing experts what they think of the controversial choice of location and who they believe will triumph in this return fixture between Usyk and AJ:
Mike Tyson, Former Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion
“It's gonna be hard to beat Usyk because he's fast and he outpunched Joshua with his jab. Joshua has to learn how to deal with his jab.
“He's too fast for Joshua. Joshua has to put pressure on him and keep it on him all night. He's a powerful puncher but he's not accurate, you've got to be accurate against a guy like that. Because he moves so much, the jab is educated and he just outsmarts the guy.”
Kell Brook, Former IBF World Welterweight Champion
“To be honest with you, I see Usyk beating him again. Unless Anthony Joshua comes out and outs it on him from round one and uses his size and strength. The only way, in my opinion, that Anthony Joshua can win is to use his power and put it on him in that way. In a boxing match, it's Usyk all day every day.”
Deontay Wilder, Former WBC World Heavyweight Champion
“My heart says Usyk easily, he's got the momentum now. But this is boxing and you never know. I wish them the best of luck and hope they come out of the ring just like they came in, safe and sound.”
Alex Krassyuk, Usyk's Promoter
“I think Joshua’s very strong and has huge advantages like power, size, height, reach; he has a very, very good punch, a straight punch that can knock a horse out. He’s very dangerous, but he does not have the same experience as Usyk, he had just 45 fights in amateurs; he became European, World and Olympic champion – a huge success, but not a huge experience.
“With Usyk it’s different, Usyk had almost 300 fights and that’s what makes him so confident. He comes from the school of boxing and also became European, World and Olympic champion. The achievements are more or less the same. But the experience behind Usyk is different. Usyk has not got that kind of reach, size and power as AJ has, but Usyk has his own advantages like speed, footwork, boxing IQ, determination, a brave heart and experience in his life – dealing with danger and dealing with fear – that’s what makes him even stronger. This fight is more interesting than the first one because AJ now has the experience of facing Usyk and he probably has something in mind.”
Jamie Speight
Three-weight Southern Area Champion
“I think Usyk wins much more convincingly this time around with a stoppage victory. He has tasted the power, he knows what to expect and the difference between Usyk and Joshua is technical ability in all aspects, Usyk can adapt and switch his style/attacks/defence in the blink of an eye to deal with Joshua whereas Joshua is not capable of that.
“Joshua is saying he can KO Usyk, but it was Usyk who was seconds from stopping AJ in the last fight, so who do you think has the better chance of a KO? Oleksander Usyk… speed kills.
“I have no problem where the fight is staged, as long as it’s available for the fans to watch, that’s all that matters. Also boxing is a business and being a fighter myself I understand how hard the game is, if Saudi Arabia can ensure everyone involved is earning more money then great. If it makes money, it makes sense.”
Matt Marsh
Former British Super-Bantamweight Champion
“I think it’s a Usyk win again. I think AJ will be better this time around with his new trainer Robert Garcia, but Usyk is a class opponent and will be ready for whatever AJ brings on the night.”
Dmitry Salita
Boxing Promoter
“Usyk is the better fighter and I just don't see how AJ can make the adjustments to beat Usyk, I don't see it.
“Usyk is a very experienced fighter, had a tremendous amateur career, and is an Olympic gold medalist. He has been taught the science of boxing as a kid and really knows boxing like a scientist, on a scientific level. He's a boxing master, one of the most educated boxers in the world, maybe even of all time. He's really, really well educated in terms of the sweet science.”
Marko Milun, EU Championships & European Games Bronze Medallist
“AJ is technically perfect, he just needs good tactics. Good tactics will win the fight. AJ is the best technical boxer. Everything he does is perfect – jabs, hooks, uppercuts – AJ looks perfect, If they set him good tactics he will win, easy.
“This time the whole camp is different. It's not the same. We spar maybe 15 rounds, me and AJ, very good rounds and it was explosive. I enjoyed it. Not like last time – everything was different; how he treated us, it was different. Coaches are different, his training is different, from the small things to the big things. He is hungry now, he wants to win badly. He's relaxed – it's big pressure, everyone thinks it's big pressure, but I think he will handle the pressure. I think he will show in the fight a better AJ.
“I told AJ you need to bully Usyk, you can't box him. Everybody knows that. Maybe Usyk will expect that, he looks heavier this time, but not heavier than AJ. I don't know how he will start and finish the fight because he trained to attack and he trained defence, he trained everything – in sparring he is better than last time. He only lost by four rounds last time. It's not too much. If he catches him in those 12 rounds with a little bit of pressure he can knock out Usyk.
“Of course I can see AJ knockout Usyk, and I hope he will do it. He listens to everything the coach says, he is very disciplined, he listens to everything, he's very good this time. He's focused and enjoying his boxing.
“He's a heavy hitter and he can knock out people easily. He's given 1000% of himself to win this fight, he's given everything in preparation, everything for winning.”
Mick Kane
Boxing/MMA Writer
“I think Usyk wins the rematch, he was in total control in the first bout and has passed every test so far. Joshua has changed things up so will be interesting to see how he looks but if he is going all out for the knockout and Usyk survives early then I can see Joshua running out of gas.
“There is no doubting Joshua's power and if he catches Usyk then it could be over. The problem for Joshua will be to actually catch him. As I said earlier if Joshua doesn't KO Usyk early then the odds for a finish will be with Usyk.
“Saudi Arabia wouldn't be a place I would want to see boxing take place, the human rights record aren't great but unfortunately for Boxing, like other sports, money talks. WWE have been there, UFC have been in Abu Dhabi and the World Cup is in Qatar, all have dubious human rights records.”
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
“Joshua stated he's going for an early knockout but with his questionable stamina and engine, that could go against him. He is well known for blowing himself out, so this tactic could be his downfall, I believe.
“I think AJ's best chance to win the rematch, against a far better and technical boxer, would be to use his superior strength and size. If the Brit can land with his right hand strongly then he stands a chance of momentarily stunning Usyk, but the Ukrainian's chin has come through plenty of tougher tests than AJ. Plus, he's had 370 combined fights, so any spells of trouble he finds himself in, he would be able to use his experience to come through safely.
“Standing at range and boxing with Usyk was a clear mistake in tactics and I think AJ immediately recognised that straight after the first fight so won't try it again. Surely his tactics in the rematch will be to apply pressure, utilise his greater size and use power punches at close to mid-range, not on the outside. Otherwise, his head will be jabbed off again. He did land a few strong right hands in the middle rounds, so he knows he has an effective weapon available to him that he will need to use more often.
“Personally, I think Usyk stops Joshua this time, because he hurt him so many times in that first fight. As early as round three, AJ was stumbling under Usyk's power, and he was seconds away from being stopped in the final round, but was saved from a questionable, premature bell.
“If AJ avenges the loss then it would be a remarkable achievement and statement. However, he is clearly not on the same level as Usyk, who is an elite champion. I'm sure we will see an improved version of Joshua, but Usyk has had 12 rounds with this opponent already and will definitely have his number.
“On the subject of the choice of location, Matchroom have again displayed their integrity by moving the fight to country that regularly tortures, persecutes and executes it's people. I saw the headlines on the same day this fight was announed in Saudi Arabia about the country banning rainbow coloured toys. Their human rights record is shocking and they are a backwards country with outdated views and laws. Eddie Hearn and Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz may believe this sporting event will be part of a bigger plan to progress the country forwards into the 21st century, but I would argue that while it is publicly lashing and beheading people, disallowing free speech, religously discriminating, and banning homosexuality, then it does not deserve to host one of the biggest fights in the world this year.”
Curtis Woodhouse, Former English & British super-lighteight champion
“AJ to win in round four! Big right hand to get him going, then a barrage to take him out.”
Arijan Goricki
Featherweight prospect
“I think the outcome will be the same. My biggest concern is Joshua's mindset. Robert Garcia is great fit for Anthony, but there's a lot of voices around Joshua and we will need to see after the first round to know what mindset Anthony will show. If he shows hunger, I can see him stopping Usyk but if not I think that this will be round 13 of their first bout.”
Uros Djikanovic
Boxing Manager & Advisor
“I think Usyk wins the fight because of the movement. He is quick on his feet. He moves to the right, jabs with right hand regularly, which tires Joshua.
“Joshua needs to work on his cardio otherwise Usyk has a chance to KO him in the later rounds. Joshua is a good fighter he reminds me a lot of Ken Northon. I think Joshua needs to get his head straight. I think he is trying to get his confidence back by saying he will KO Usyk. I think It only works against him and puts a lot of unnecesary pressure. If he goes all in to try to KO Usyk he will probably get hit by Usyk's left hand very hard, or he will get tired and be in bad shape for the later rounds. Usyk was my favourite in the first fight, so I'm going with Usyk to win in the rematch also.
“Joshua is saying he can KO Usyk, but it was Usyk who was seconds from stopping AJ in the last fight, so who do you think has the better chance of a KO?
“I dont have any problem with the event being organised in Saudi Arabia and I think the event will be well organised.”
Ben Day
Former Southern Area champion
“Same outcome, in my opinion. You can’t outbox Uysk, you have to make it a dog fight and take it to him, be nasty.
“I don’t think there will be any knockout, so I don’t think one has a better chance than the other.
“Don’t care where it is, I prefer watching fights at home; if your not ringside, you might as well be outside.”
Rick Ramos
Boxing Coach & Manager
“I love Usyk, but I think Joshua stops him this time.”
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