Boxing legend backs Joshua to beat Usyk

Anthony Joshua was unsuccessful in his two fights with Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, but boxing legend Nigel Benn believes if they meet for a third time, it will be ‘AJ’ who comes out on top.

Joshua is back in action on March 8, as he goes up against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on March 8. The Brit heads into the fight in good form, having earned wins over Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin in the last 12 months.

The latest win over Wallin came in December, with Joshua linking up with trainer Ben Davison for that bout, securing a dominant stoppage victory after five rounds.

Benn told Fruity Slots that he feels the new partnership with Davison has seen ‘AJ’ return to his best and would see him triumph over Usyk if they fought again.

“I’m so happy AJ looked like his old self, he went a bit gun-shy. Ben Davison looks to have brought it out of him. If he fights like that against Usyk a third time, I think he puts it on him, with that right attitude, with that right frame of mind, I think he would do him.

“I was very impressed in his last fight, he can go on to fight Fury and Usyk and call it a day. He’s got Ngannou, but who really is Ngannou, did he fight the best version of Fury? Where was Fury’s mind at? I think AJ will do a number on him and if AJ hits him he will hurt him. I think AJ is too powerful for Ngannou.”

Usyk returns to the ring on May 18 for his rescheduled undisputed showdown with Tyson Fury, but one of his coaches is still doubtful about the injury that caused the delay.