Joshua admits pressure, banks on Nigerian strength and Mexican tactics to win
AJ says he would do his best and win by knockout
Nigeria-born former heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua will adopt a hybrid of Nigerian (African)and Mexican fighting styles for his crunch clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ, 32, brought in renowned world champion coach Robert Garcia to cook up an aggressive game plan for Saturday night's Saudi showdown after a timid display last time out.
And the British, Nigerian-born, plans to add a bit of African flavour to Garcia's famed Mexican-esque pressure style.
The two-time heavyweight champion told Boxing Social: “We’ll see the African style, life, that’s all that matters.
“I’m taking African style to Mexican style…both hard-working people…I respect the Mexican culture."
Joshua is confident the addition of Garcia will lead to a tougher night at the office for Usyk, who turned him over in their Tottenham tussle last September.
The Watford warrior said: “He needs to work harder to beat me. Listen, boxing’s a dog fight at the end of the day, it’s in me.”
“If you’re a boxer, then you have it in you. It never left anyway."
Joshua doesn't plan on outpointing his way to revenge against Usyk as he did in his 2019 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.
The London 2012 medallist said: "I will do my best and win by knockout."
Mexican-American Garcia and the rest of Team Joshua will push AJ to go for the kill if he rests on his laurels.
He told Sky Sports: “Can he win by decision? Yes. I know that he can also win by decision because if he controls the fight with his long punches, using a lot of jabs, even though we want him to back him up.
"But if he just uses the reach and that half distance where he’s controlling the fight, he could easily win a decision too.
“But, does he have the power, does he have the strength, has Usyk been dropped before? Yes.
"Does he like body shots? Probably not because he’s been dropped a few times with body shots.
“Can he knock him out? I think so. And that’s what we’re going for.
“I think Anthony knows it himself, and myself and Angel Fernandez,
we’re going to push him to go for the knockout.”
Meanwhile, Joshua admitted he is feeling the pressure like never before.
“Definitely I get nervous,” Joshua said. “This one, yeah, because I want to win it, I want to perform, so it’s understanding that and then transitioning the nerves once the bell goes into focus. Nerves, they’re good if you understand them. Take away all the politics and stuff that is happening, for me, personally, it is an important fight. This is all that matters.”
Joshua weighed in at 17st 6lb 8oz, 4lb heavier than for the previous meeting with the Ukrainian, and has vowed to be more aggressive under new trainer Garcia.
There was considerable speculation that Usyk had added a substantial amount of muscle to his smaller frame, however, the champion was barely a pound heavier than in September, tipping the scales at 15st 11lb 10oz.
“Weight, face-offs, none of it matters,” Joshua said. “It’s just about the bell ringing and us throwing leather.”
The pair will reportedly earn a minimum of about £30 million each, with Usyk, who spent a month volunteering in Ukraine’s Territorial Defence Force, pledging to donate part of his purse to humanitarian aid efforts in the country.
It can feel hard to juxtapose Joshua’s need for victory with that reality, but the 32-year-old is aware that another loss would leave him with a long road back and wreck hopes of an undisputed bout against an ostensibly retired Tyson Fury. “Definitely, this is probably my toughest fight,” Joshua said. “Knowing how big this is is motivation.”
