EDDIE HEARN was left shocked by Oleksandr Usyk’s bizarre body transformation - but he is still backing Anthony Joshua in their Saudi showdown.
Since teaching AJ a lesson in boxing during their Tottenham tussle last Sept., the unified heavyweight champion has gained several pounds.
Oleksandr Usyk will rekindle his rivalry in Saudi next week
Since his first fight with AJ, Usyk has gained a lot of weight.
According to reports, Usyk gained 15 kilos
Eddie Hearn was stunned at the champ's transformation of his body
Hearn was astonished by the 35-year old's new, hulking physique that no longer looks like a cruiserweight.
Matchroom Boxing chief, Boxing Social, said that the new frame of the Ukrainian boxer was "really big!"
In his first fight with Joshua, Usyk displayed a masterclass in boxing to win the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.
The smooth southpaw danced effortlessly around Watford's warrior and selected his shots perfectly under the bright lights at Spurs stadium.
Hearn expects a more aggressive approach next weekend from the defending champion, and said: "I expect [Usyk] will try to walk AJ down."
Joshua, 32, has joined forces with Robert Garcia, a multiple world champion coach, to take revenge on Usyk.
Hearn believes that the British boxing's golden boy will be able to finish the job before the fight reaches the halfway point.
He stated that he believed the fight would be over in six rounds. It's going be a war, I believe.
"I don’t think Usyk wants AJ to walk him down, to box off his back foot against aggressive Anthony Joshua.
"I expect him be aggressive and I believe he will get knocked out."
Joshua, a two-time unified champion, was punished for trying timidly to outbox his London 2012 Olympian counterpart. But he insists that he will not make the same mistake again.
He stated, "The goal is to get back to basics and aim for the knockout."
"I feel that when I fight or spar with people, their spirit is actually dampened."
"Honestly, if you look at someone directly in their eyes, and watch their body closely, you can see how they are slowly losing their strength.
"Now, when you boxing, the art is to hit and not get hurt. You're better off boxing to stay away. This is not my style.
"My style is to get up close with people and make it difficult for them." That's my game plan.
