ANTHONY JOSHUA will be a better boxer for losing muscle, according to David Haye.
As he gets set for his shot at redemption against Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch, Joshua has looked a lot leaner than usual.
Anthony Joshua looks like he has cut some muscle – and it will only benefit him says David HayeCredit: PA:Press Association
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The 30-year-old Brit weighed in at a career heaviest 17st 7lbs for the first Ruiz Jr fight in June that saw him floored four times on the way to a seventh-round stoppage defeat.
He has admitted he could come in more than half-a-stone lighter for the dust-up in Diriyah.
This had led to unified champ Ruiz Jr warning Joshua that he will be even easier to knock out.
But Haye, who was a world champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight during an illustrious career, is adamant that cutting some muscle will work out as a good thing for the Brit.
And the 39-year-old is tipping AJ to reclaim the heavyweight titles he lost in June.
David Haye is tipping Anthony Joshua to win on points when he rematches Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty
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Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Haye said: “Losing a little bit of muscle mass for Joshua won’t harm him.
“He is a naturally gifted athlete, a strongman, he can probably deadlift any other heavyweight in the division.
“He is a supreme athletic and if he was to take off 4/5 kg of lean muscle, that won’t hinder his power it won’t hinder his strength.
“I think if anything in a boxing match it will make him more effective for longer, which is important.”
HAYE PREDICTS JOSHUA ON POINTS
Haye, who retired from boxing in June 2018 after back-to-back defeats to Tony Bellew, thinks Saturday’s fight will go all the way to the scorecards.
And this is where a new and improved and lighter Joshua can come into his own.
The Betfair Ambassador added: “It’s all well and good being a very dangerous fighter for the first five or six rounds, but you need to maintain and carry that power into the later rounds.
“Particularly if you’ve got a come forward, aggressive fighter who’s hoping to drag into the deep water of those late rounds.
“Being able to have the endurance to maintain whatever your game-plan is, throwing combinations, moving your feet, you need to be able to do it for 12 rounds.
“Then you have the best chance.”
Joshua’s ringwalk on the Clash of the Dunes card out in Saudi Arabia is scheduled to start at 8.45pm UK time.
David Haye fought most of his career at cruiserweight – but stepped up to become heavyweight world championCredit: Bongarts – Getty
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For more from Betfair Ambassador David Haye head to www.betfair.com/haye/
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
