Anthony Joshua says he has “identified mistakes” from his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, while Tyson Fury has advised him to dramatically change his game-plan and “swing away” for the rematch.
Fury saw any likelihood of an undisputed heavyweight championship fight with Joshua evaporate when his rival was beaten by Usyk last the weekend.
Joshua has now said: “I’ve watched the fight, analysed my preparations and identified my mistakes. I’ve learnt my lesson.
“Don’t worry about me. My spirit is strong!”
Fury had earlier advised Joshua: “There are no secrets, no rocket science, to boxing.
“Fighters today make it technical. This is just two men punching each other for 12 rounds or less.
“Go to bed early, eat right, drink plenty of water, and get stuck in! If it’s not going your way with the game-plan that you’ve got? Change it up!
“Give your best, give all that you can, leave it all in the ring. Don’t say ‘should have’, ‘would have’, ‘could have’.
“Don’t think: ‘If I trained harder, I could have done better’.
“My advice to Joshua is; get stuck in the best way he knows how! Put your best foot forward. Swing away, swing away!”
“I’ve got no interest in slating anybody or kicking anybody while they are down,” Fury said. “It’s not my style.
“I like to pick on people who are doing well, who are successful, on top of their game.
“I don’t like picking on people who are down, probably at their lowest point, and probably mentally unstable after a loss after a long reign.
“Joshua has to do what he’s got to do. I can’t say I’m interested because I’ve got ‘the Bronze Bomber’ next. Whoever’s next? We’ll deal with them too.
“I can’t be thinking about what happened in other fights. I can only think about me.”
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