Deontay Wilder Predicts Oleksandr Usyk Victory vs Anthony Joshua

Deontay Wilder is so sure Oleksandr Usyk will hand Anthony Joshua his third defeat when they meet in their upcoming rematch.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion dethroned AJ of his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles last year in London, and the pair will meet again, this time in Saudi Arabia.

Giving his thoughts on the second fight, Wilder told ESNews: “I’m going with Usyk here man.

“I’m going with Usyk. I think a lot of people are. It’s boxing at the end of the day, so we’ll see, but I think it’s Usyk.”

After the first fight last year, Wilder was asked if he was surprised by the result and he told BT Sport: “I wasn’t at all, I wasn’t at all. Malik Scott always talks about Usyk and how skilful he is. Especially coming up from cruiserweight.

“He definitely had his struggles in the heavyweight division with Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora. But styles make fights and with Joshua, he just had his number at that point in time.”

Tyson Fury agrees with his old foe’s verdict.

“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. But I just think Usyk’s too good of a boxer for AJ and I don’t think AJ’s got the ability to pressurise him for 12 rounds, drag him into a dog fight and knock him out.

“You have to be an elite special human being for that and I don’t think Joshua possesses that will to win to do that.

“He’s too easily happy to come second position. If you’re willingly setting for second, say no more.”