ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged not to be gun shy in his high-stakes rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Watford warrior will bid to reclaim the unified heavyweight titles from the undefeated Ukrainian in a potentially career-defining Saudi showdown on August 20.
Anthony Joshua will renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in August
AJ unwisely chose to try and outbox the slick southpaw in their first meeting
AJ, 32, unwisely attempted to outbox the slick southpaw in their Tottenham tussle last December and ended up suffering a lopsided points defeat.
And promoter Eddie Hearn believes the Brit’s route to becoming a three-time heavyweight champion lies in him using calculated aggression.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “I don’t think you can just be aggressive against Oleksandr Usyk, but you certainly have to be aggressive.
“He has to let his hands go more. He has to damage Oleksandr Usyk whenever he can and he has to get him out of his rhythm.”
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Joshua stung Usyk with the few power shots he landed in his ill-title defence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Uysk’s reactions to the punches were telling for Hearn, who added: “I don’t think Oleksandr Usyk likes getting hit.
“I don’t think he liked getting hit first in the first fight and he didn’t get hit much.
“So AJ has got to take the chances when they present themselves and he’s got to be smarter. But he’s got to let his hands go.”
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Joshua has enlisted the services of world champion coach Robert Garcia for the biggest fight of his professional career.
And Hearn believes the addition of the renowned trainer – along with the 12 rounds AJ has had with his fellow Olympian – is a sure-fire recipe for fireworks.
He said: “I think this fight will be a lot more exciting than the first because AJ has shared 12 rounds with Usyk.
“And he understands the skills he and the attributes of Oleksandr Usyk and he has to negate that with his assets.
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“Which is his power, speed and combination punching. Easier said than done.
“But certainly, I believe you’re going to see a much more aggressive Anthony Joshua in this fight.”
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