Deontay Wilder expected Oleksandr Usyk to beat Anthony Joshua, opines on the rematch

The majority of the global boxing fandom might have been surprised at the results of the recently concluded unified world heavyweight championship contest between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, in which, the latter walked away with all four WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO titles from the former champion, but to former WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder, the result did not surprise him one bit.

Oleksandr Usyk had his number and will have his number again: Deontay Wilder

After his undisputed heavyweight title fight with the reigning WBC champion, Tyson Fury fell apart, Joshua was challenged by former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk to challenge for his unified world titles, ahead of finally getting the Fury fight sorted. While many saw AJ as the favourite to defend his titles and win the bout, Usyk stupendously outboxed the Briton and became the new unified heavyweight champion.

The bout, which took place on 25th September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, saw Usyk winning via unanimous decision after 12 rounds of overpowering Joshua.

Meanwhile Deontay Wilder, who is just days away from his trilogy fight against Fury on 9th October at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, said to BT Sport Boxing that he was surprised by the result of Joshua vs Usyk, as both him and his trainer Malik Scott were aware of ‘The Cat’s abilities inside the ring.

“I wasn’t at all surprised, [my trainer] Malik [Scott] always talks about Usyk and how skillful he is,” said Wilder, “especially coming from a cruiserweight and styles make fights but he has definitely made fights.”

Joshua is expected to earn a rematch with Usyk before the unified champion can clash against the winner of Fury vs Wilder 3 for the undisputed championship, but even in their second clash, Wilder feels Usyk will outbox Joshua once again.

“He had his struggles with Witherspoon and Chisora, but as I said style makes fights. And with Joshua he [Usyk] just had his number and I think he will have his number again the next time round. Usyk said he is going to be even faster and I believe he is going to be even faster, but who knows it is boxing at the end of the day we don’t know what happens until it is the time for it to happen,” Wilder added. [H/T Boxing Scene]

Highlights:

• Deontay Wilder says he was not surprised at Oleksandr Usyk beating Anthony Joshua
• Deontay Wilder also believes Usyk will have the upper hand in the rematch