Former world champion and finalist of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Briton George Groves found another advantage for the reigning unified heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) over Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) from Great Britain, reports bbabo.net.
According to Groves, the atmosphere in the arena could be the deciding factor. Recall that the fight between Usyk and Joshua will take place in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) at the Jeddah Superdome arena. The boxing evening starts at 21:00 Nur-Sultan time. Usyk and Joshua will enter the ring at approximately 02:00.
"Very much so. Remember how Joshua boxed (in New York) with Andy Ruiz. I was there, I felt that atmosphere. It was unusual: a lot of noise, but it was" the wrong fans ". And I'm not talking about that they weren’t British, but that there were a lot of “random passengers” in the hall who don’t know anything about boxing, have never been to fights and don’t even know what and when to shout, how to properly support the fighters.
“Let me remind you that in the case of Usyk, all this plays absolutely no role. Every time he boxes on the road, he spent absolutely all his big fights outside his native walls. He won absolutely all his belts on the road. Including three belts, which he took away from Joshua - he did it in London at Wembley. That is, Anthony was not helped even by the support of his native stands. And Usyk ... Apparently, it makes no difference to him. In this regard, he is a unique fighter. ) fights, and apparently he doesn't need them to win," says Groves.
George has no doubt that "Usyk will cope with the pressure of the stands this time too. But Joshua would be nice to have strong support behind him. But who knows, what if he ends the fight so that the whole room will support him and chant his name? " Groves said.
Recall that the first fight between Usyk and Joshua took place in September 2021 at Wembley (London, England). Usyk won by decision of the judges, but was forced to give revenge, since such a clause was spelled out in the contract.
bbabo.Net