Anthony Joshua, according to Tony Bellew, must demonstrate to Oleksandr Usyk that he is a "different animal"

 

Anthony Joshua may have a good rest of his career, according to Tony Bellew, even if he loses his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

After Usyk dethroned Joshua of his titles last year, the heavyweights will clash again on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.

Bellew understands what it's like to lose to the Ukrainian, having been knocked out by him in 2018.

He, unlike Joshua, never had a rematch.

"Since the loss to Usyk, Joshua has made enormous changes to his team, with Angel Fernandez taking a stronger role and the renowned Robert Garcia also coming onboard," Bellew said on DAZN regarding his thoughts on the approaching second fight.

"In the build-up to this bout, all eyes will be on Robert Garcia, and it'll be intriguing to watch what improvements he can make to Joshua at this stage of his career."

"He was a winner as a fighter, he's a winner as a trainer, and when preparing Joshua for the biggest test of his career, he'll be entirely focused on winning."

"He'll want 'AJ' to get going right away because if Usyk is allowed to settle in early, it might be a replay of the first fight."

"If Joshua can use his stature, speed, and power in the right way, he can capture Usyk's attention and let him know he's fighting a different animal than in the first battle."

"Joshua should take that strategy." Let Usyk know early away that he's in for a tough fight.

"After what happened in the previous fight, this fight means everything to Joshua, but make no mistake, he'll be a threat in this division regardless of the outcome."

"If he can't beat Usyk, he'll have to put his world title hopes on wait for a while, but that doesn't mean the road back to the top won't be exciting."

"Can you image Joshua taking on Deontay Wilder in the United States?" What a fight between two explosive fighters that would be.

"Will Joshua fight British fighters like Dillian Whyte or Joe Joyce again?" Those battles would sell out any stadium in the United Kingdom.

"And what about the big one with Tyson Fury?" As long as both men are active, that struggle will continue to be big...

"If it's Usyk's night, Joshua's road back to the top will be difficult, but he's shown before that he enjoys a challenge."