David Haye believes that Anthony Joshua can gain revenge over Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
However, Haye believes a win at all costs strategy is needed if AJ is to turn the tables and regain his titles.
Joshua lost his WBO, IBO, IBF and WBA (super) heavyweight belts to the Ukrainian last September via unanimous decision, and former world heavyweight champion Haye feels a more physical and pragmatic approach is required.
Haye picked Joshua to win the first fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September and is backing him to win this time around as well. However, he is adamant that AJ must push the rules as far as he can in order to reclaim his titles from his opponent.
Haye told Gareth A. Davies: “I’m going to go with Anthony Joshua again.
"I went with him in a big way in the first fight. He didn’t fight in the manner which I thought he was going to that I think would have given him the best chance of winning. He applied probably the worst tactics you could do against a southpaw. Gave him range, was respectful inside, in close. There were no warnings from the ref about deducting points because he never imposed himself.”
Haye added: “I think he’s [Joshua] watched it back and knows what he needs to do,” implying that AJ must push the rules to the limits and employ the dark arts.
Joshua was widely criticised for trying to outbox Usyk last year and Haye believes if the former champion gets more physical and makes it a real scrap, he will be victorious.
“He’s got a good team who’s gonna drill it into him that this is not a boxing match, this has got to be a dog fight from the first bell.
“He should be this close to getting a point deducted or disqualified, that’s how physical he needs to be because he’s a specimen like no other in the heavyweight division.
“He is physically the supreme heavyweight right now.
“He just needs to apply that into a style that’s useful and last time round it wasn’t very useful at all and this time around he really has to do it. And I believe he will do it.”
Whoever comes out on top out of Joshua and Usyk has the chance of squaring up to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in an undisputed title fight, should the Gypsy King decide to come out of retirement that is.