Date: 2200, 20/08/2022
Venue: Jeddah Super Dome
TV: Sky Sports Box Office
Anthony Joshua is rated a value bet to gain revenge over Oleksandr Usyk in their fascinating Rage on the Red Sea rematch in Saudi Arabia.
AJ surrendered his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles to the Ukrainian in London last September but can learn the lessons of that defeat.
The Briton still has a sizeable height and weight advantage, so 2.5 for him to get it right this time is our initial Usyk vs Joshua 2 prediction.
Oleksandr Usyk Odds
Usyk followed in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield by dominating the cruiserweight division and then stepping up to take on the big boys.
He used his superior speed and technical ability to outbox Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, getting the decision via scorecards of 117–112, 116–112 and 115–113.
The rematch was scheduled to take place earlier this year, but Usyk returned to Ukraine to help with the war effort against Russia until he was given special dispensation to prepare for a second fight.
Usyk secured a conclusive points victory in the first encounter and is clearly a consummate professional, having also beaten British opponents Tony Bellew and Derek Chisora in a 19-0 record.
However, the Cat could face a different AJ this time and we feel a bwin price boost of 3.75 for the new champion to be overpowered and stopped stands out from the Usyk vs Joshua 2 odds.
His promoter Alexander Krassyuk insists Usyk faces a tough night, commenting: “It’s not an easy challenge. People say Anthony Joshua is down, that Anthony Joshua offers nothing any more. No, I totally disagree with people.
“Anthony Joshua is one of the biggest threats at heavyweight at the moment and I’m pretty sure he will try to use his chance on Saturday night.”
Anthony Joshua Odds
Joshua has been criticised for lacking stamina, heart and punch resistance throughout his career but has shown he can triumph over adversity.
AJ made a mockery of all those claims when getting up off the floor to secure an epic 11th-round win over Wladimir Klitschko over five years ago.
He also overcame some shaky moments to see off the smaller Alexander Povetkin in round seven and avenged his shock loss to Andy Ruiz with a comfortable points victory.
Joshua knows he cannot win by using the same tactics that led to his downfall in the first fight.
His attempt to outbox the skilful Usyk was baffling, he failed to capitalise on his size advantage and he was surprisingly passive.
New trainer Robert Garcia has been recruited to oversee a more aggressive approach, mentally and physically.
Joshua accepts his career is on the line, stating: “Everything is at stake. It’s a big fight, it’s a big night.
“The heavyweight championship of the world is on the line, so it’s big. It’s a must win because I don’t want to walk away. Let’s get the job done.”
He added: “I need to get my feet out of the mud, use my feet, get my heart rate going, use my attributes. I’m definitely the bigger man.
“I can keep it rangy or I can keep it short. But what you’ve got to do is compete at the highest level. It’s kill or be killed.
“I’ve been in there with him before. I know his tricks, I know what he’s doing. And I know what I want to do.
“I haven’t done the same things as last time in training. I’ve moved on and used that information to push me on in my training.”
Garcia declared: “I think he fought the wrong fight. He’s the bigger man, the stronger man, he’s got the reach advantage, so we’re going to take advantage of all that.”
American trainer Garcia has worked with some great fighters and can bring an extra dimension to Joshua’s work.
Let’s add 6.5 for AJ to prevail in rounds seven to 12 to our Usyk vs Joshua 2 betting tips.
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