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‘Back to basics’ – Anthony Joshua reveals he will seek KNOCKOUT win in Usyk rematch and says boxing is ‘not my style’
ANTHONY JOSHUA says he will go all out to KO Oleksandr Usyk in their highly-anticipated rematch.
The Brit lost all his world titles when he was comfortably outpointed by Usyk in September last year.
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Many critics argued that AJ fought the wrong fight, trying to box and move against a man with superior movement and footwork.
Now Joshua has accepted that he was outboxed over the 12 rounds, and has promised to go "back to basics" in a bid to reclaim the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts.
Speaking at the Oxford Union AJ, 32, revealed: “The fight with Usyk, in my mind, was going for 12 rounds.
"That was my game plan because I thought I could compete with him as a boxer.
"And I think he won two more rounds than I did. That's how he became champion.
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“So the goal now is to go back to basics and go for the knockout.
“I always feel, when I'm sparring or fighting people, I actually see their spirit get dampened.
“Honestly, when you're looking at this person directly in their eyes and watching their body, you can read the body and punch after punch this person is slowly fading.
“Now when you're boxing, the art of boxing is to hit and not get hit. So you're kind of boxing to stay away. That's not really my style.
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"My style is to be up close and personal and make it difficult for the person. So that's the game plan.”
British boxing is desperate for AJ to get back to winning ways after the bizarre way he conceded his titles at Tottenham Stadium.
The 6ft 6in powerhouse tried to outbox the smaller southpaw technician and former undisputed cruiserweight boss.
The result was a unanimous points decision defeat and the end of his decade-long partnership with team GB mastermind Rob McCracken.
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For the rematch, AJ appears to be entrusting unproven assistant coach Angel Fernandez with head-trainer duties and the task of stripping him back to his old KO-artist prime.
Fight fans will be hoping a Joshua win can tempt Tyson Fury NOT to retire from the sport and set up a all-British undisputed heavyweight title clash.
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