EDDIE HEARN has urged Anthony Joshua to ditch the textbook and try to “bust up” Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch instead.
The promoter has announced the heavyweight pair will fight again on August 20 in Saudi Arabia, almost a year since Usyk’s 12-round win.
Hearn was one of many to watch on with confusion as AJ tried to outbox the unbeaten Ukrainian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.
But he has told Joshua, 32, to use every bit of his height and weight advantage to overwhelm Usyk, 35.
Hearn told Sporting News Australia: “He’s got to be himself and not overthink things too technically and start boxing.
“He’s got to go in and use his attributes. He has tremendous speed and great power. He has to bust Usyk up.”
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He added: “It’s not just about being reckless and diving in.
“But he’s got to be smart, cut off the ring, and when he has any chance, let him have it.
“Usyk will not be able to stand up to the power of Anthony Joshua if he continually puts pressure on him.
“But that first half of the fight is going to be really important that he can either get him out of there or put a nice dent in him to slow him down and take him out of his rhythm.”
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Joshua has since left Rob McCracken and Team GB’s Sheffield HQ and relocated to Loughborough with No2 coach Angel Fernandez.
He has also brought in esteemed US mastermind Robert Garcia, who Hearn believes will help mould “a totally different AJ.”
He continued: “Robert Garcia in the corner… a great mindset.
“I think you’re going to see a really good fight.”
