Johnny Nelson has questioned the new look to Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
The former WBO cruiserweight world champion made an audacious claim last month that he would have beaten the Ukrainian had they fought.
And now Nelson, who is in Saudi Arabia as part of the Sky broadcast team for the WBA Super, IBF and WBO heavyweight world title return, has aimed a dig at Usyk.
The 35-year-old appears to have put on muscle for the fight, which will be at the Jeddah Superdome and will also be for Tyson Fury’s recently-relinquished Ring Magazine title, while Joshua –– who was dethroned by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last September –– is looking a lot leaner.
Nelson spoke to Boxing Social about the Ukrainian’s weight increase:
“I think this will be a career-heaviest for Usyk. My question is whether Usyk will be able to use the talents that he has and be able to perform to the best of his ability while carrying that extra poundage.”
“Boxing like he did as a cruiserweight when you’re up at heavyweight and you’re carrying a couple more stone on your back, it ain’t that easy.”
Nelson hit the headlines earlier this week, suggesting that Joshua should hang up the gloves if he suffers a second defeat to Usyk.
“It’s going to be difficult for Usyk to box the way he did previously. He won’t be able to do that for 12 rounds.”
“But maybe he thinks it’s not going to go the full 12 rounds and that’s what you’ve got to look at.”