Former boxer Jerry Okorodudu has backed British-born Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, to bounce back after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Stadium in London on Saturday.
Joshua was outclassed for most of the fight as he lost his IBF, WBA and WBO world champion belts to the Ukrainian after the fight.
However, Joshua is expected to invoke a clause, giving him a rematch.
The former Nigerian boxer, Okorodudu said he believed that the former champion can bounce back and defeat Usyk in a rematch.
“Things like this must happen in sports, it’s only natural for boxers to lose fights but I have that firm belief that he would bounce back, win back his belts.
“This was what happened against Andy Ruiz in 2019 when he lost his belt to the Mexican-American, but he got it back.
“Wherever the rematch bout would take place means nothing, all that matters is that Joshua would go underground, train harder and collect his titles back again.”
Joshua Must Return To Former Style, Says Oboh
FORMER WBA Intercontinental Champion, Peter Oboh, has urged Anthony Joshua’s camp to return him to the style that won him battles against top heavyweight fighters.
Oboh was speaking after Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and WBO title in front of 68,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday.
He said that it was evident that Joshua had stopped using his strength to his advantage since his loss to Andy Ruiz, which also cost him the fight against Usyk.
Oboh also added that Joshua thrived on his physical attribute to subdue his opportunity.
“I saw the fight and I must say that Joshua style has changed a lot. I didn’t not see him taking on his opponent in the middle of the ring like he use to do. I think the new trainer is trying to model his fight along that of Mohammed Ali,” Oboh said.
“It is too late to change his style. His training team should try to improve on those attributes that stood Joshua out when he dropped the likes of Dylian White and Wladamir Klitschko instead of teaching him a new set of skills. Don’t forget that he started boxing late and those skills and power got him to this level.
“Joshua is just like the taller version of Joe Frazer, one of the fearless boxers of our time. Joshua was brutish but he seems to have lost that which is making him lose fights,”he added.
While commending Usyk for his fighting style and win over Joshua, Oboh stated that the Ukrainian would not have lasted the distance with Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder.
