BY OUR REPORTER
Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua, AJ, has thrown everything into the ring in a desperate attempt to redeem his image after the sensational loss of his three world titles to Ukrainian power house, Oleksandr Usyk last September in London.
After the Brit was brutally beaten last month, several pundits advised him not to seek a remark with Usyk so soon because of the obvious damage he suffered: AJ had to seek urgent medical treatment for his right socket, after an extensive damage.
But AJ has activated a remark clause in his fight contract with Usyk to set up another clash, scheduled for March or April 2022. It’s likely this battle would likely take place in London. Joshua, meanwhile, claimed to have learnt his lesson.
According to an internet outlet, in recent remarks, Joshua promised to bring a ‘war’ and ‘murder’ mindset when they meet in the ring again, rather than once more attempt to outbox his opponent, which many experts believe was his undoing. He knew he had to change tactics.
There is also uncertainty about his training future; a likely change of trainers is also being considered.
AJ spent two weeks out in America learning from various coaches last month, and said he may look to work with one of them before the second fight.
Usyk reacted to DAZN: “I am not sure who will train Joshua for the rematch.
“I have seen the speculation about who he may hire for next year but it does not matter to us who trains him.
“Our goal is to be prepared for everything and I train to improve my own chances, not based on my opponent. He also promised to be more aggressive and dangerous in the rematch. If that is the case, great. I’d be glad to experience that side of Joshua. I am sure it will be another brilliant fight.”
SugarHill Steward has invited Anthony Joshua to train at his gym with Tyson Fury before his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Brit, who relinquished his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles with relative ease at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, has visited several possible new trainers in America.
In an interview with an Australian news outlet, Fury surprisingly offered to train Joshua for the rematch to ‘get him to fight like a big man’.
Joshua admitted himself he would be keen for the idea, provided ‘he takes no money for it’ as he prepares for one of the biggest fights of his life.
And speaking to talk SPORT, trainer Steward insisted getting Joshua and ‘The Gypsy King’ into the ring is something he would not be adverse to at all.
“You got guys that are friends or very competitive champions, and you see people now, put together teams.
“They’re putting together dream teams or things like that, as far as basketball or football or anything other kind of sport like that.
“These guys are joining up with each other, playing for the same team, to be successful.”
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