Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Oleksandr Usyk told he has Anthony Joshua's number ahead of rematch

Frank Warren has backed Oleksandr Usyk to beat Anthony Joshua again in their rematch.

Joshua lost his heavyweight titles for the second time in four fights when he was outpointed by former cruiserweight king Usyk last September.

A rematch between the pair has been expected ever since, but it was put in doubt last week after 'AJ' considered stepping aside to allow Usyk to face Tyson Fury in an undisputed clash.

After being offered £15million, Joshua reportedly demanded an additional £5million and talks of the undisputed fight collapsed.

WBC champion Fury will now face Dillian Whyte next whilst Joshua will try to win back his unified titles against Usyk.

And Warren thinks it will be repeat, not revenge, in the rematch between the pair.

Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua last September (Action Images via Reuters)

"I do fancy Usyk in the rematch, I did feel that Joshua's corner got it wrong in the last fight. I don't think they got it right at all," he told Boxing Social.

"I feel Usyk's got his number, I feel Usyk's got an exceptional trainer in old man Lomachenko, he's a bloody good trainer and I think they'll be really up fro this in more ways than one.

"I'll be interested to see if AJ does change his trainer but irrespective of that, he's got a lot of things to work on, not just his trainer.

"His attitude in that fight, I don't think was good. I don't think he was doing what a big guy should have been doing."

Warren is hoping the winner of Joshua's rematch with Usyk can fight the winner of Fury vs Whyte after.

Fury has promised to "annihilate" his domestic rival Whyte and said his domestic rival should only be paid £370,000 for the clash.

The world title fight was set in stone last Friday when Warren's Queensbury Promotions won a massive £31million bid alongside Bob Arum's Top Rank.

Are you excited for Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

And Warren has praised Whyte for getting himself into the position to challenge for Fury's belt.

"He's strong, he's tough. When you look at the background he comes from, he's done exceptionally well," Warren continued.

"He's definitely got a lot of self-belief, he can punch and he fancies the job with Tyson. He's been sitting for over 1000 days for his opportunity.

"Well, he's got it now. Here's his chance to prove what he's worth and what he's got in the tank. He said he can beat Tyson and he obviously feels he's seen some sort of chink in Tyson's armour.

"He's got his chance now to exploit him and get very well paid for it."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.