Former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion, Evander Holyfield, has offered his opinion on what Anthony Joshua must do to reach the top once more.
Holyfield is a true legend of the sport as the only man to have been undisputed in the two top weight classes. ‘The Real Deal’ holds wins over the likes of Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes and George Foreman in what was one of the most competitive eras of the heavyweight division.
He offered some words of wisdom for ‘AJ’, should the former champion wish to hear it – although he also pointed out that the current crop of heavyweights don’t need to take advice from fighters from a different era as the division has changed so much.
In an interview with iFL TV, Holyfield explained that he believes Joshua has lacked aggression in his recent fights, and that, as a strong boxer, it’s often best to use size rather than skills.
“Anthony Joshua is a good fighter, but if you don’t throw enough punches, you don’t use your size to your advantage. He is a big guy, he’s got to use the jab, everybody knew [Adonis] Stevenson had a great jab and that’s pretty much what he is throwing.
Every time he catches you asleep with the jab, then you get hit with a right hand and you are out of there. Anthony Joshua can pretty much do the same thing, he is big and large and a good fighter.”
“He actually can box, but he has to be a bit more aggressive, you have to use your size to your advantage. Sometimes he gets with a guy, he won’t overbear him, he won’t push you down but they are trying to push him down. You have to play the game out right to not let somebody out-hustle you.”
Joshua looks set to return to action in Spring under the guidance of a new trainer. The Brit has once again travelled to the United States in search of a different cornerman.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk, the man who recently beat ‘AJ’ twice, will look to join Holyfield in an exclusive club of fighters who have been undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight – a fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury all that stands in his way.