Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, expects Oleksandr Usyk to be more aggressive in the pair’s rematch – and he doesn’t think it will go well for him.
The heavyweight champion has been seen this week in training, with fans and fighters alike commenting on the amount of mass he’s put on since the first fight with ‘AJ.’ Hearn, who is promoting the fight on August 20, thinks the gains might work in the Brit’s favour.
Oleksandr Usyk less than two weeks out from the Anthony Joshua rematch…
[🎥 @Usykaa] pic.twitter.com/ZSIJqWaCf4
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 7, 2022
When speaking to Boxing Social following the Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn press conference on Friday, Hearn was asked about recent footage showing Usyk’s apparent new physique, to which he replied:
“He looks really big!”
The Matchroom boss went on to predict how that new mass might play into AJ’s hands:
“I expect him [Usyk] to try and walk AJ down.”
“I think this fight will be over in six rounds. I think it’s going to be a war.”
“I don’t think Usyk wants to be walked down by AJ, to box off the back foot against an aggressive Anthony Joshua.”
“I except him to be aggressive, and I think he’s going to get knocked out.”
It will come as no surprise that Hearn is backing his man, and he’s certainly saying all the things you’d expect.
A lot has been made of game plans and size in the lead up to the fight, and it will be of massive interest to fight fans when both men take to the scales next week.
Most within the sport were bemused by Joshua’s tactics in their first bout and are expecting to see a more aggressive AJ in the rematch – whether that will be enough for the 32-year-old to become a three-time Heavyweight champion remains to be seen.
The fight takes place next Saturday in Jeddah, broadcast live in the UK exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office.