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Joshua vs Usyk: Anthony Joshua believes in his ability to exploit openings against southpaw Oleksandr Usyk

Joshua makes a mandatory defense of his WBO title on September 25.

Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua 2 - Final Press Conference Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Wil Esco is an assistant editor of Bad Left Hook and has been covering boxing for SB Nation since 2014.

As unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua prepares for his September 25th title defense against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua looks forward to the meeting while telling Sky Sports that facing good opposition only brings the credit deserved from the fans. Joshua obviously is looking to put on a good performance here as he believes it will only add to his value should he come out victorious.

But in this particular outing Joshua will be going up against one of the most crafty southpaws in the world, and Joshua is well aware that he’ll need to be able to make adjustments in order deal with the style match-up. Luckily for Joshua, he’s supremely confident in his ability to think his way through a fight.

“Everything is in reverse with a southpaw. That’s the technical element, then you have the spiritual element. I am a fighting person. I pray and meditate and visualise. I train my mind. That will get me a long way, as well. Mix of the technical ability and the God-given talent? Even though I’m fighting a southpaw I should be able to find ways and see gaps to exploit each of my opponents.”

As far as Joshua is concerned, Usyk is a great fighter, he just says he’s better and expects that to carry the day once the two meet inside the ring. And should Joshua come out victorious it’ll surely re-ignite the hopes to finally stage an ever-elusive undisputed heavyweight title fight.

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