MIKE TYSON has warned Anthony Joshua against an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk – unless changes can be made in his camp.
AJ was beaten over 12 rounds by Usyk in September and has been training for the sequel ever since.
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in September
Mike Tyson warned Anthony Joshua against an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk
But Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20 – admitted he would swerve a rematch.
He said on his podcast: “I wouldn’t fight him right away unless I have had him in the gym with guys that are really awkward left-hand fighters.
“Because you know he is really outboxing, outsmarting. He wasn’t prepared to handle a guy with a good jab.”
Joshua, 32, was accused of failing to use his superior size advantage against Usyk, 35.
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But Tyson, 55, said: “Size means nothing.
“When you look at the statistics and they say he’s 240, this guy’s 220, you can’t weigh somebody’s will and desire, and determination.”
Tyson also sympathised with AJ’s failure to deal with Usyk’s sensational southpaw style.
He said: “The movement just threw him off. I’ve been there before when the movement, it’s like dancing. Someone just can’t keep up.”
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It looked as though AJ would have to take an interim bout in the summer after Usyk bravely took up arms to defend Ukraine.
But it has since emerged that the two-weight world champ crossed the border from Ukraine to Poland to begin training, ESPN reported.
Usyk did not need permission to leave due to exception for parent of three.
AJ has been in camp training for his return since the start of the year.
Oleksandr Usyk took up arms to defend Ukraine
Anthony Joshua is ready to rematch Oleksandr Usyk
