Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua during a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Wednesday August 17, 2022. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rematches in boxing are almost always intriguing and the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch is one not to miss. In this article we will be dishing out the grueling truth about who we thing will come out on top and who the underdog is. Be sure to read on to find the best Usky vs Joshua betting odds, tips & strategies. Also be sure to Check out the best boxing betting sites page to get all you need to know on boxing betting.
Changes have to be made – at least for the fighter who lost.
Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua will meet for the second time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
Joshua has been here before.
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In 2018, late replacement Andy Ruiz ruined his American debut by stopping Joshua in seven rounds.
The result was stunning to most.
Joshua entered the bout the heavy favorite. Almost all of the so-called experts had picked him to win.
Nope.
Joshua fought Ruiz again six months later in Saudi Arabia. The big man trained hard. Lost weight.
His mindset was different.
Joshua was the boxer now. Strange for a guy known for knocking other fighters out. He had no interest in mixing with Ruiz. Joshua moved and stuck out his long left. An out-of-shape Ruiz chased, but it was Joshua who scored.
The decision was unanimous in Joshua’s favor. It wasn’t pretty, but I remember being impressed. Think – “Just win baby.” The other issue that stunned me was how fragile Joshua looked. Was his confidence that shaky?
Then came Oleksandr Usyk.
Undefeated, undisputed cruiserweight champion. Super Six cruiserweight titleholder. Will fight anyone – at any venue. The guy is fearless.
After knocking Tony Bellow cold in 2018, Usyk decided to move up to the heavyweight division, but there were questions.
Nowadays, some heavyweights are behemoths. Oft-retired champion Tyson Fury could play power forward in the NBA. He stands 6-foot-9. Deontay Wilder and Joshua are a couple of inches shorter.
Usyk? He’s a height-challenged 6-foot-3.
He debuted as a heavyweight against Chazz Weatherspoon in 2019. Usyk won by stoppage but hardly overwhelmed. More underwhelmed.
Next up was warhorse Derek Chisora. The Ukrainian native struggled with the aggressive Chisora, winning the bout by close decision.
The problem appeared to be a lack of power. Usyk couldn’t hurt Chisora. His superior boxing skills saved him. No matter, he signed to throw hands with heavy-handed heavyweight titleholder Joshua a year later.
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Joshua entered the ring favored, but it was apparent after a few rounds that the defending champion had his hands full.
Usyk’s southpaw jab landed consistently. Growing more confident, Usyk began to unleash his left. Joshua rallied a little in the middle rounds – doing better for a few seconds, but Usyk wouldn’t allow him to control the fight for long.
As the Brits say, “Usyk bossed it.”
The loss has lingered with Joshua since.
“It has been a nightmare just sitting on this loss for so many months,” said Joshua.
The two-time heavyweight champion is working with well-respected trainer Robert Garcia. Hard to tell if it will help.
Usyk has been training with his usual team since returning from the war in Ukraine last March. Pictures show a bulked-up version of Usyk. Some have wondered if adding muscle could be a detriment. Usyk is preparing for a more aggressive Joshua. Speed kills, and he’s faster than Joshua.
Unlike their first fight, Usyk will step into the rematch favored.
He should be. He’s the better fighter.
Joshua could win, but I don’t see it.
Usyk’s mindset is rock solid.
Joshua? Who knows?
Can the old dog (Joshua is 32) learn new tricks?
Maybe a few, but the older dog (Usyk) is craftier.
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