Who Will Win The Joshua v Usyk Rematch?
Nothing excites boxing fans more than two heavyweights going hell for leather at each other. That was the case when Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, two of the world’s best boxers, faced off in September 2021 for the heavyweight title.
There was tremendous interest in their first fight, which was billed as “The Perfect Storm”. And in this guide, we’ll take a look at how that fight played out and what the rematch promises when the pair touch gloves again in August 2022.
How professional boxing works
The sport of boxing involves two fighters battling it out over a series of three-minute rounds. Boxers are matched based on their weights. Each weight division has its own titles or belts that fighters compete to claim. Usyk and Joshua both fight in the heavyweight division.
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The first fight between Joshua and Usyk
The first fight between Joshua and Usyk took place in London on September 25, 2021. It’s fair to say that it was a fight that Joshua wasn’t seeking. Joshua had been in talks with Tyson Fury for a fight to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk had made the step up from cruiserweight in 2019, after dominating the division as the undisputed champion. His position gave him “super challenger” status and offered him an early shot at the champion – Joshua.
Contractual issues involving Fury saw that fight with Joshua fall apart and that paved the way for Usyk.
The fight was hard-fought between the pair. The Ukrainian Usyk boxed the better match, outwitting and outmaneuvering the bigger and more powerful Joshua. In the last round alone, Usyk landed 29 punches.
Both fighters landed big blows throughout, but neither could force a stoppage. And in the end, it went to points.
The judges reached a unanimous decision. Usyk was declared the winner and new champion, much to Joshua’s dismay.
What’s happened since?
Since the pair last fought, their lives have followed very different paths. In early 2022, war broke out between Ukraine and Russia, with the Russians invading their neighbors. Ukrainians across the globe returned home to defend their nation. Usyk was one of them.
Usyk joined legendary boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko in the Ukrainian Army – Vitali being the mayor of Kyiv. This has ultimately delayed the rematch, with it being pushed back from July to August. It may also put a dent in Usyk’s preparations.
In contrast, Joshua has had an extended, conflict-free period of time to prepare. And he’s made changes to his coaching setup. His previous trainer, Rob McCracken, was criticized for the advice and tactics he gave Joshua in the first Usyk fight.
Now, Joshua’s enlisted the help of new coach Robert Garcia to help boost his endurance over 12 rounds, as well as helping him to unlock his strength and power.
The two boxers couldn’t have had more different experiences since the first fight, which makes the second one all the more intriguing to watch.
Who could win the rematch?
It’s very much anyone’s fight when the duo meet again in August. No further delays are expected, with Usyk now having left Ukraine to begin his preparations. He’ll take some time to familiarize himself with the gym and regain his fitness levels.
Joshua, on the other hand, has taken a whole new approach, ditching his old trainer and now working with someone who’s keen to unlock the power he possesses. Garcia also understands Joshua’s weakness – endurance.
That’s seen a shift in focus toward the knockout, while preparing better for a longer fight.
But Usyk won comfortably in the first fight, outboxing Joshua from the first bell to the last. Some commentators have predicted a repeat performance, mainly because Joshua’s main weakness is his chin.
Joshua has been knocked down and out in a few matches, with the first Andy Ruiz Jr. fight living long in many people’s memories. Even if Joshua can pin Usyk into a corner and bully him with his superior size, the Ukrainian is tough and will fight back with hard punches. The question remains as to whether Joshua can take them.
