Mike Tyson offers warning to Anthony Joshua about Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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Mike Tyson has warned Anthony Joshua against taking on an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Uysk without making drastic changes to his training camp.

AJ was completely outclassed by the Ukrainian challenger in September and was fortunate not to be knocked out as he was defeated after 12 rounds. Joshua has been training for the sequel since the start of the year, while an interim bout was expected due to Usyk taking up arms to defend Ukraine.

But with the two-weight champion now reportedly training in Poland, the fight could take place as initially planned in the summer. Yet boxing legend Tyson believes it would be a mistake for Joshua to take on the Ukrainian so soon after his first defeat.

Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time at 20, said on his podcast: “I wouldn’t fight him right away unless I have had him in the gym with guys that are really awkward left-hand fighters. Because you know he is really outboxing, outsmarting. He wasn’t prepared to handle a guy with a good jab.”

He added: "Size means nothing. When you look at the statistics and they say he's 240, this guy's 220, you can't weigh somebody's will and desire, and determination.”

Do you think Anthony Joshua will be demolished again in a rematch with Usyk? Let us know in the comments section.

Joshua, 32, was criticised for failing to use his superior size advantage against Usyk, 35. But 55-year-old Iron Mike sympathised with AJ's failure to deal with Usyk's tricky southpaw style, comparing it to "dancing".

He said: "The movement just threw him off. I've been there before when the movement, it's like dancing. Someone just can't keep up."

• Anthony Joshua
• Mike Tyson
• Boxing

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