sport news JOHNNY NELSON: Anthony Joshua must knock Oleksandr Usyk out, or risk exposing ... trends now
With Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk set for a hotly-anticipated heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, both fighters will be keen to get on the winning end of proceedings for different reasons.
Ukrainian Usyk, the winner of their initial tussle in London in September 2021, is keen to send a message about his native land to Russia, after the turbulence of war between the two countries.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Joshua has changed set-up since last year's defeat, and is coming into the weekend's fight in Jeddah keen to get revenge on the 35-year-old. Here's how the tactics, strengths, weaknesses, physicality and motivation of the two fighters match up.
Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are ready for their much-hyped rematch in Saudi Arabia
TACTICS
Joshua needs to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Usyk from the start. That’s easier said than done against such an elusive opponent but it’s about being a calculating bully effectively.
He needs to try a right-hand lead, follow with a left then push Usyk in the chest, use the forearms, elbows. Push it to the point of being warned by the referee, invading the natural space and not giving Usyk a chance to settle. Sometimes Joshua can rely too much on his gameplan and you can see him formulating what should come next, he needs to rely more on his instinct, let punches go, be aggressive and rough up Usyk in old school ways.
I see it as a six round contest as once it goes beyond there, Usyk takes the advantage. He is an unorthodox southpaw fighter, he will try to bamboozle Joshua, mislead him in how he sets his feet then feint. He doesn’t need to change much from the first fight just do things quicker and set the pace that tires out Joshua.
STRENGTHS
Joshua has natural strength and power. He has 22 knockouts which testify to the fact he can punch, he has the height, the reach, the jab and he has the weight. He is also good at taking on instructions. The progress he has shown since he was an 18-year-old proves he is a good listener and he has a strong self-belief.
Usyk has the greater ring craft, the greater experience from his days as an amateur and through different divisions to where he is now. He is an intelligent fighter; he is quick and he doesn’t panic. He also has this unnerving, poker face. As Tony Bellew said you don’t even know if you’ve
