Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2: Boxing world predicts who will win the rematch

Anthony Joshua faces Oleksandr Usyk in a highly-anticipated heavyweight rematch on August 20.

The former two-time unified world champion will throw down with the ex-undisputed cruiserweight king on Saturday night at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The bout will be a rematch of their clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September, which Usyk won via a unanimous decision verdict.

Joshua has made several changes to his coaching team since that setback, axing his long-time coach Rob McCracken and drafting in ex-world champ Robert Garcia as his replacement.

ALL THE INFO: Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: Date, Card, UK Start Time, Ring Walks, Tickets, Live Stream, Odds and More

So, how will the pair's second meeting pan out?

GiveMeSport.com has rounded up some of the predictions from those from around the boxing world to help paint the picture.

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2

Tyson Fury

The victor of Joshua and Usyk's Arabian Nights rubber match will most likely earn a crack at WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

But in a blow to British fans, the Gypsy King has stated that he thinks that it will be Usyk who he defends his title against next.

Fury said to Gareth A Davies: “In heavyweight boxing, it only takes one punch.

"It wasn’t a complete landslide last time, Usyk had a lot of marks on his face, he was cut up. He’s not hard to hit, Usyk, he’s right there in front of you.

"So Joshua can obviously land a big punch, but I just think that Usyk’s too cute for him. Too smart, too quick, and a southpaw."

Prediction: Usyk

Tony Bellew

Bellew - who lost to Usyk in 2018 - has backed AJ to right the wrongs in their rematch.

In his column written for DAZN's website, he said: “If Joshua can use his size, speed, and power, but do it correctly, then he can get Usyk’s attention and let him know he’s in with a different animal from the first fight.

“That’s the approach Joshua should take. Let Usyk know he’s in a tough fight right from the outset.

“This fight will mean the world to Joshua after what happened in the first one but make no mistake about it, he’s going to be a threat in this division no matter what the result.

Prediction: Joshua

Kell Brook

However, Kell Brook, who recently announced his retirement, says he just can't see it happening.

Brook told Safe Betting Sites UK: "To be honest with you, I see Usyk beating him again.

"Unless Anthony Joshua comes out and he puts it on him from round one and uses his size and strength.

"The only way, in my opinion, that Anthony Joshua can win is to use his strength and his power and put it on him in that way."

Prediction: Usyk

Frazer Clarke

Joshua's teammate, Frazer Clarke, has no doubts he will win back his belts on Saturday night.

He wrote in his Sky Sports column: “I feel like he’s a nice guy. I think someone had to pull the bad guy out of him. I think Robert Garcia was good to do that.

“He pulled out the not give a [stuff] about anyone apart from winning this fight. He’s brought it out of him.

“This could be Britain’s greatest night of heavyweight boxing. I feel like everyone’s putting him as a massive underdog and he might just get outboxed for 12 rounds. But you’d be daft to bet against him.”

Prediction: Joshua

David Haye

The British boxing legend believes that Joshua will win if he uses his size to his advantage against Usyk.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I think he’s going to do what he should’ve done in the first fight and that’s be the bigger man, push the rules to the limit, you need to be warned by the referee for infringing some of the rules and while doing that, do some damage inside.

“So, he really needs to get inside and rough up the much smaller man and I think that if he does, athletic-wise he will win, but it’s just down to mentally whether he’s ready to go into that battle zone and rough him up.

“If he is, he wins, but if he does the same thing again and tries to have a long range boxing match, he loses, but I don’t think he’s going to make the same mistake twice.”

Prediction: Joshua

George Groves

Groves on the other hand has gone the other way as he thinks Usyk is just too good for Joshua.

He told SecondsOut: "People have been assuming he’s just a little more gun-shy now since the Ruiz fight, but I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. I think he needs to use his jab [with authority] and whack Usyk hard. You know, you’ve got to punch with this guy [Usyk], because you can’t try punch after him; he’s too quick and he takes great angles.

“Joshua does tire as the fight goes on, but I think he might have to think of this as a six-round fight rather than a 12-round fight, and try and get rid of him. He’s got the size advantages. If you asked a non-boxing fan, ‘who’s going to win, this guy or this guy,’ they’re always gonna pick Joshua because he’s such a big man.

“But like I say, I’m a big Usyk fan, and I think Usyk has probably got his number and is probably going to be even better in the rematch.”

Prediction: Usyk

Eddie Hearn

Joshua's promoter meanwhile has every faith in his man and believes he will get the job done inside the distance.

He told fans during a Q&A on Instagram: “I’m telling you now, AJ KOs Usyk within six rounds.

“I rate Usyk but I believe in Anthony Joshua and I believe he’s going to put it right in the rematch, I really do.”

Prediction: Joshua

Joe Joyce

The Juggernaut is of the the opinion that Usyk will win because he is a superior level to Joshua.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Usyk’s already beaten Joshua. So it’s the same thing again and he also has the confidence from beating him the first time.

“So, it’s down to Joshua now to step his game up and try and get back those titles. I still think Usyk’s got what it takes to bash him up again.

“But, Joshua has a punchers chance, a heavy punch, but if he can’t land those big shots then it’s Usyk again.”

Prediction: Usyk

Amir Khan

Former world champion Khan, who retired with a 34-6 record in the ring, has backed Joshua to win, but he doesn't think it will be an easy night in the office.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “We all want AJ to win the fight obviously him being British, we want to bring them heavyweight titles back to Britain.

“I think he wins this fight, he beats Usyk, but it will be a difficult task.

"He then goes on and maybe does an undisputed clash with Tyson Fury, which will be a massive fight in the UK."

Prediction: Joshua

MORE: Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2: Huge AJ retirement claim made ahead of rematch

Richard Riakporhe

The British cruiserweight star, 32, is confident that Joshua will come out on top and win via knockout.

Talking to Sky Sports, Riakporhe said: I’ve been seeing how he’s been performing in training and he’s definitely not going to be trying to do that boxing stuff that he did last year. You’re going to see that old school fighter. I know because he’s been training like that.

“That’s the type of mentality that they have. Kill or be killed. That’s what I’ve adopted and it’s just changed everything.

“You can feel the aura, you can see it. You can see that guy’s a dangerous man. I think this is what you’re going to see from Joshua on August 20, you’re going to see something different.”

Final score: Usyk - 4, Joshua - 6