ANTHONY JOSHUA may be disappointed if Oleksandr Usyk's showdown with him goes the distance.
A week from Saturday, the Watford fighter will defend his unified Heavyweight titles against the undefeated Ukrainian.
Frank Warren, a promoter of Usyk, believes Usyk might cause a major upset
Joshua will have to overcome the elusive Usyk's footwork on fight night.
Frank Warren, Tyson Fury's promoter, believes that the former undisputed champion in cruiserweight could dance his way into a points win over AJ.
He said to iFL TV, "He proved it at cruiserweight.
He was a great performer and has made a mark in the weight division. He was an outstanding cruiserweight.
He's done everything you could wish for. He's fought Chazz Witherspoon and gained a weight. He fought seven rounds and then fought Derek Chisora.
"So now that [Usyk] has gotten up there and is comfortable, I don’t believe he’s a natural heavyweight.
"I'm willing to bet that he could still make cruiserweight if he needed to." We'll never know.
"But Anthony Joshua has to be the favorite for the fight. He is the bigger man, much larger, and a better puncher.
"Having said all that, if Joshua doesn't get rid off him after five to six rounds, then the fight will go to the end. If that goes twelve rounds, I'd like Usyk the winner because he'll have to outbox Joshua to win the decision."
Warren believes that Joshua's power will be negated by the smaller Usyk, who is likely to get in close and work on the inside.
Chief of Queensbury Promotion stated: "He's [Usyk] clearly a very intelligent operator, and you're going to fight him."
"He's going inside, underneath AJ's jab. If he can do that, and work inside, he'll be able to give him a lot.
"We don't know, because we want to fight the big fight."
Joshua's victory over Usyk will allow him to do his part in the long-awaited Battle of Britain With Fury. He will be facing Deontay Wilder three weeks later in a trilogy fight.
The Olympic gold medallist has made a vow to not give in to the enormous pressure placed on his shoulders.
Sky Sports quoted him as saying: "With Usyk I don't really give in to pressure.
"It's time for me to put into practice all I know on September 25th."
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
