By Craig Daly: Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott is picking Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Anthony Joshua tonight by a knockout between rounds nine and eleven in their rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Malik believes that the aggressive style that Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) has been taught by his new coach Robert Garcia will work “against him” tonight because Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) has always done well against bigger fighters putting pressure on him.
Indeed, Joshua’s aggressiveness could lead to him getting knocked out in the fight, as Usyk will have more opportunities to land his stinging shots with AJ coming forward all night long.
“I picked Usyk the first time, and I pick him again in a much more imposing fight coming from Joshua, but I think it might work against Joshua, so I’m going with Usyk by knockout between nine and eleven rounds,” said Malik Scott to Fighthype.
“I say this in very good respect for the [Robert] Garcia family, but they specialize in coming forward and being front-foot heavy. So when you put one and one together, Joshua is saying my mindset is ‘Kill, kill, kill,’ and he hired Garcia.
“They’re coming straight forward. They’re going to be very front-foot heavy, and I just believe with someone like Usyk, who specializes in fighting big guys very, very well, I think it’s going to play against them [Team Joshua]. Like I said, I’m going with Usyk by stoppage.
“My rounds might be off between nine and eleven, eight and eleven, but I’m going in a very competitive [fight]. Joshua is going to try and be more imposing, but I think it’s going to play against him. I think Usyk is going to make him reach, and Usyk is going to be doing a lot of teaching, so it’s going to be good.
“It’s all good for the division. My game plan is the same for everybody. Create a comfortable environment. I think anyone Deontay hits flush,” said Malik when asked if Deontay Wilder could beat Usyk.
“He’d have to go about it in a much more up-tempo way, Usyk. I think Usyk is the most technically sound craftsmanship guy I’ve ever boxed,” said Scott.
