• Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, right, and Britain's Anthony Joshua pose for a selfie after the press conference to announce the heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles in Jeddah on June 21, 2022. AFP
    Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, right, and Britain's Anthony Joshua pose for a selfie after the press conference to announce the heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles in Jeddah on June 21, 2022. AFP
  • Britain's Anthony Joshua poses for a picture with a fan. AFP
    Britain's Anthony Joshua poses for a picture with a fan. AFP
  • Britain's Anthony Joshua poses for a picture with a fan. AFP
    Britain's Anthony Joshua poses for a picture with a fan. AFP
  • Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua's rematch, billed as Rage on the Red Sea, is set to take place on August 20, 2022, at the Jeddah Super Dome. AFP
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua's rematch, billed as Rage on the Red Sea, is set to take place on August 20, 2022, at the Jeddah Super Dome. AFP
  • Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (L) and Britain's Anthony Joshua (R) pose for a picture during the press conference to announce the heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles in Jeddah on June 21, 2022. - The match, billed as Rage on the Red Sea, is set to take place on August 20, 2022, at the Jeddah Super Dome. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP)
    Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (L) and Britain's Anthony Joshua (R) pose for a picture during the press conference to announce the heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles in Jeddah on June 21, 2022. - The match, billed as Rage on the Red Sea, is set to take place on August 20, 2022, at the Jeddah Super Dome. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP)
  • Anthony Joshua alongside Matchroom Promotions chief Eddie Hearn. AFP
    Anthony Joshua alongside Matchroom Promotions chief Eddie Hearn. AFP
  • Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, president of the Saudi Boxing Federation Abdullah Ahmed Eid al-Harbi and Britain's Anthony Joshua attend the press conference. AFP
    Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, president of the Saudi Boxing Federation Abdullah Ahmed Eid al-Harbi and Britain's Anthony Joshua attend the press conference. AFP
  • Britain's Anthony Joshua greets the fans. AFP
    Britain's Anthony Joshua greets the fans. AFP
  • Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk poses for a picture. AFP
    Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk poses for a picture. AFP
  • Britain's Anthony Joshua speaks during a press conference. AFP
    Britain's Anthony Joshua speaks during a press conference. AFP

Anthony Joshua has 'all the tools' to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah rematch - Garcia


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Anthony Joshua’s new trainer says he has "no doubt" the Briton will be crowned three-time world heavyweight champion in his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia this summer, stressing the former belt-holder has “all the tools” to come out on top.

Joshua, 32, will look to reclaim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he lost to Usyk in their first clash in London last September when they meet again on August 20, with the fight to take place in Jeddah. The bout has been billed "Rage on the Red Sea".

Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion who remains unbeaten as a professional, triumphed convincingly in the initial encounter, taking the contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 117-112, 116-112 and 115-13.

The manner of the defeat has prompted Joshua to make significant changes to his camp ahead of the rematch, with Garcia replacing long-time head trainer Rob McCracken.

The pair had enjoyed a lengthy and successful time together throughout Joshua's pro career, with the 2012 Olympic Gold medallist going on to win 24 of 26 bouts.

Speaking in Jeddah this week, as the August 20 event’s media obligations got officially under way, Garcia said: “I started coming [to England] in December, I’ve been coming back-and-forth to work with Anthony.

"I see a different Anthony now. The way he thinks, the way he talks, everything he’s practicing, everything he’s doing in the gym. I think he fought the wrong fight, and that’s the past. That happened already.

“We’ll see who’s the better man. Come August 20, we’re going to do whatever it takes to win those titles back. I know he can do it. He’s the bigger man, he’s the stronger man, he’s got the reach advantage, so we’re going to take advantage of all that.

Come that day, I think without a doubt, we’re going to have a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”

The highly respected Garcia, who to date has trained 14 world champions, knows Usyk well having hosted the Ukrainian and his team in his gym in the United States. Garcia has labelled the current champion, whose pro record stands at 19-0, as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

“We’ve got to be prepared for everything,” Garcia said. “Usyk is a great fighter. He’s got skills, he’s got reflexes, he’s got accuracy, he’s got everything. I think Anthony has all the tools to beat him. We just have to do the things in the gym.

“[The September defeat] is all in the past; now it’s time to work on what Anthony can do. He’s practising little things we’ve been working on in the gym even on his days off.

"He’s training, we’re watching video together, and he’s learning, he’s taking notes. He wants to be champion again. And, like I told you, I have no doubt that he will be champion again.”

  • Oleksandr Usyk after beating Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk after beating Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua walks away from the ring after losing to Oleksandr Usyk. AP
    Anthony Joshua walks away from the ring after losing to Oleksandr Usyk. AP
  • Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine celebrates after his unanimous decision victory over Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP
    Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine celebrates after his unanimous decision victory over Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP
  • Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP
    Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP
  • Anthony Joshua on the defensive against Oleksandr Usyk. AP
    Anthony Joshua on the defensive against Oleksandr Usyk. AP
  • Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP
    Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP
  • Anthony Joshua before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk. AP
    Anthony Joshua before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk. AP
  • Close up of Anthony Joshua's injuries during a press conference after defeat in the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO title fight agianst Oleksandr Usyk. AP
    Close up of Anthony Joshua's injuries during a press conference after defeat in the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO title fight agianst Oleksandr Usyk. AP
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after the fight. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after the fight. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after being crowned the new heavyweight world champion. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after being crowned the new heavyweight world champion. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his team in the ring. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his team in the ring. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua following his defeat. Getty
    Anthony Joshua following his defeat. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk punches as Anthony Joshua ducks. Getty Images
    Oleksandr Usyk punches as Anthony Joshua ducks. Getty Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch as Anthony Joshua. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch as Anthony Joshua. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua during their title bout. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua during their title bout. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Reuters
    Anthony Joshua after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Reuters
  • Anthony Joshua lands a punch. Getty
    Anthony Joshua lands a punch. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua goes on the attack. Getty Images
    Anthony Joshua goes on the attack. Getty Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk punches Anthony Joshua. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk punches Anthony Joshua. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
  • A dejected Anthony Joshua walks back to his corner. Getty
    A dejected Anthony Joshua walks back to his corner. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
Updated: June 24, 2022, 8:45 AM