Via Barry Holbrook: Ring announcer David Diamante says Anthony Joshua will need to change his fighting style from “kitty cat” to “lion” if he is to beat unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch. their yet to be scheduled match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Like many, Diamante noted that former IBF, WBA & WBO champion Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) didn’t use all of his advantage in his previous bout against the former impossible cruiserweight champion. the Usyk controversy last September.
Joshua, 32, tried to beat boxer Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) by boxing him, and he figured the hard way was the wrong approach.
With new trainer Robert Garcia, Joshua will retool the fight to make him a more aggressive fighter, ready to impose his size and rough on the smaller Usyk in the rematch.
“Fernando Vargas, Brandon Rios, Bam Bam, brother Mikey, many champions from Oxnard,” David Diamante told iFL TVabout Anthony Joshua’s new coach Robert Garcia.
“Robert Garcia, he’s class, and as you said, former world champion, a great coach,” Diamante said. “For me, a coach is not the right type of situation for everyone.
“I think there are a lot of great coaches in the world, and depending on who is a fighter, a trainer has to suit them specifically, with a personality and style.
“So if AJ and Robert have synergy, that would be great. It’s a big fight for AJ to get back to playing Usyk again in the rematch, and it’s a fight he really wants to win. It will be really difficult.
“Usyk, his confidence goes through the roof, I think. He is currently fighting for longer than titles, and he also wants to be the one without question. He wants to fight Tyson Fury, Usyk.
“Many people believe it’s not a good idea because of the size [disparity between Usyk and the 6’9” Fury], but either way, he proved everyone wrong by beating AJ. Can he do it again?
“I tend to think that AJ can win this match. I didn’t say he would. I said he can. He [Joshua] need to know that he is a lion and not a cat. When you have an advantage, and you don’t use it, it’s not an advantage.
“So AJ is a bigger man, a stronger man, he’s a taller man, so use those advantages,” Diamante continued. “Usyk is the ultimate boxer. I do not know; trying to beat a great boxer, I’m not saying AJ isn’t, but Usyk is spectacular.
“So trying to send Usyk out might not be a good ploy. Trying to articulate Usyk would be a ploy. So maybe Robert Garcia might be the right person for that. I don’t know what they’re doing in their camp, but hopefully they are. We will find the problem soon,” said Diamante.
