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      Ukrainian MMA star Olena Kolesnyk backs Usyk in Anthony Joshua rematch but faces watching boxing hero’s fight on catchup

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      MMA star Olena Kolesnyk is backing Oleksandr Usyk against Anthony Joshua – but faces watching the boxing hero’s rematch on catchup. Usyk, who beat Joshua last September, defends his belt against the British superstar on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
      Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua last SeptemberCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Olena Kolesnyk is backing Oleksandr Usyk in his rematch with Anthony Joshua
      On the same night in London, Kolesnyk faces Larissa Pacheco in the semi-final of this year’s Professional Fighters League.
      The lightweight is one win away from the $1million winner-take-all finale fight.
      Meanwhile, victory for Usyk over AJ again puts him in line for an undisputed title decider with Tyson Fury, 34.
      Kolesnyk, 32, is backing her former amateur boxing team-mate all the way, but may have to record the fight before cheering him on.
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      She told SunSport: “My fight is No6 or No7, so it will be close.
      “Not sure if I’ll have the opportunity, but I’ll definitely watch his fight the next day.”
      Usyk, 35, beat Joshua, 32, on points at Tottenham’s stadium and Kolesnyk predicts a repeat result.
      She said: “I know Oleksandr Usyk personally, when I was in the women’s national boxing team, he was in the men’s national boxing team of Ukraine. 
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      “I’m sure this fight will be interesting but there is no other option that Usyk winning this fight. 
      “I don’t see how Anthony Joshua can beat Usyk, but in another way it’s a boxing fight and anything can happen. 
      “But from my side, of course I wish the best to Oleksandr.”
      Kolesnyk last year signed with the PFL, MMA’s only promotional with a league format.
      Fighters have a two-bout regular season, where points are earned per method of victory.
      The top four then progress to the play-offs, which is a semis and final with victors bagging the life-changing $1m (£827,000) cheque.
      Last year, Kolesnyk lost twice but this season she progressed to the last four with wins over Abby Montes, 22, and Vanessa Melo, 34.
      And she did so all while her country remains at war, leaving behind her loved ones.
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      Kolesnyk said: “It’s hard, I won’t hide it. What I can do is inspire some people from my country not to give up. 
      “It’s everything to me, it’s kept me focussed on the main goal, on the fight, so I’m really happy to be where I am now.” 
      Kolesnyk faces Pacheco, 27, at the Copper Box in a rematch of the fight she lost last year.
      Olena Kolesnyk pictured training in Las VegasCredit: @OlenaKolesnyk More

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      Anthony Joshua has been through 13 sparring partners for Oleksandr Usyk rematch as they all keep ‘hitting the canvas’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been through 13 sparring partners for his rematch Oleksandr Usyk – and some were left “hitting the canvas”. Joshua rematches Usyk on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, following his defeat last September.
      Anthony Joshua ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: @anthonyjoshua
      After the one-sided points loss, AJ left long-time coach Rob McCracken and his Sheffield training base.
      He instead located himself at Loughborough with assistant trainer Angel Fernandez and hired US mastermind Robert Garcia.
      A whole new style has been promised and if AJ’s apparent sparring is anything to go by, Joshua will be good to his word.
      His camp manager David Ghansa told Sky Sports that they recruited 13 sparring partners in all shapes and sizes – although not everyone lasted. 
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      Ghansa said: “We went for a wide range of strong guys, light guys, movers, stand and traders. We just had a variety of everything.
      “So him going through the rounds, some days it was one man in, one man out, who’s surviving.
      “People were hitting the canvas. The camp has been crazy. People were hitting the canvas, I’m not going to hide it.
      “They came to get paid for that and it’s been happening. I’m not going to hide it.”

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      Joshua had an equally ruthless approach when discussing his tactics for the rematch in Jeddah.
      He said: “I wanted to outbox my opponent, whether it was Usyk or anyone else, that was the mindset.
      “I wanted to outbox my opponent and on Saturday I want to smash my opponent. That’s just the mindset now.”
      Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his rematch with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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      I’d tell the 2012 AJ to work harder… and make sure he NEVER loses his world heavyweight crown, says Anthony Joshua

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA would have told his Olympic-winning self to work even harder — and make sure he did not lose his world heavyweight crown.A decade and four days ago the Watford hulk became a national hero by winning super-heavyweight gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
      Joshua is looking to become a three-time world heavyweight champion on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Joshua turned pro in 2013 after winning gold at the London Olympic GamesCredit: Getty
      It catapulted the 6ft 6in powerhouse towards three world titles and millions of pounds.
      But Joshua now recognises he could have put even more graft in, especially before the points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last September, which cost him his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
      The pair meet again in Jeddah on Saturday in what is a must-win fight for AJ.
      Joshua, now 32, was asked what he would say if he could go back in time and have a word with his 22-year-old self.
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      He said: “I’ve got a lot of experience I could pass on.
      “I would definitely say to train hard. I trained as hard as I could for the relevant task but I’ve trained harder this camp, to be honest with you.
      “I’ve pushed myself harder than before. I’ve pushed myself and done things I’ve never done before in training. That’s come from losing. So at the time when I was winning, what I was doing was enough.”
      AJ also admits that ten years into his career he does regret not yet meeting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
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      Deals for both — to decide an undoubted heavyweight ruler — came agonisingly close, before collapsing.
      Fury then won two out of three magnificent fights with the American and took No 1 spot in the division.
      Joshua, with 24 wins from 26 fights, added: “I can’t say I would have changed much else.
      “Maybe I would have probably had other fights. Maybe the Wilder fight, the Fury fight, but they didn’t happen.
      “Other than that, everything’s been relevant for the time.
      “But now looking back on it, I would pass on my knowledge to the younger, up and coming fighters. I feel like I’ve gained a lot of experience.”
      Following Fury’s most recent retirement on Friday, his Ring Magazine belt is now on the line in Jeddah — alongside AJ’s old straps.
      The Ring belt is seen as being held by the clear boss of each division.
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      But Joshua laughed: “Eddie Hearn rung and messaged me about it and I didn’t even reply. I am not even interested in the Ring Magazine belt.
      “That’s where my mind is at, this is just about the fight.”
      AJ is just days away from potentially reclaiming the beltsCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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      Anthony Joshua shows off hulking body ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch as he reveals flawed first fight plan

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA once again showed off his hulking body on Instagram as the days tick down to fight night.And he revealed his shock flawed plan for the first fight against Oleksandr Usyk which backfired spectacularly.
      Anthony Joshua looks in peak condition just days away from fighting Oleksandr UsykCredit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
      The British star has worked hard in the gym and on his tacticsCredit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
      AJ, 32, steps back into the ring on Saturday night in Jeddah for the rematch with Usyk.
      He is desperate to claim back the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world titles he surrendered with the defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.
      And judging from his latest social media post captioned “Loco”, Joshua is ready.
      He shared a photo looking absolutely shredded in his gym with his muscles bulging as he roared and stared down the camera lens.
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      Fans were loving what they saw and flooded the comments with support.
      One said: “Beast mode activated.”
      Another wrote: “We are ready to celebrate this victory.”
      And a third added: “Bring this energy against Usyk.”
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      Joshua has given fans plenty of insight into his training schedule in Saudi Arabia with sneak peeks from inside the camp.
      The British star is putting in the hard yards to do all he can to become heavyweight world champion for the third time.
      And he has extra motivation following his regret over the tactics from last time as he was outclassed over 12 rounds in North London.
      Joshua admitted: “It sounds crazy, but I’m not going to lie.
      “My objective was never to hurt Usyk.
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      “My aim was to go the full 12 and prove I could box as well as he does.
      “But I didn’t work hard enough to prepare for a 12-round fight at that pace.”
      AJ is looking relaxed in the build-up to fight nightCredit: Reuters More

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      Oleksandr Usyk ‘looking like a cyborg’ ahead of Anthony Joshua rematch, says unified heavyweight champion’s promoter

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      OLEKSANDR USYK is stronger than ever and looks like a “cyborg” according to his promoter Alex Krassyuk.The Ukrainian, 35, spent time out of the ring this year after signing up to join the Ukraine war effort after the Russian invasion.
      Oleksander Usyk is stronger than ever according to his promoter Alex KrassyukCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Krassyuk compared his fighter to a cyborgCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Usyk is flying the flag for UkraineCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Some have predicted Anthony Joshua to lose to Usyk againCredit: Reuters
      But Krassyuk is confident the “hell” Usyk has been through has made him more determined and stronger than ever as he prepares for the rematch with Anthony Joshua.
      Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “We watch his recently posted videos and realise that he looks like a cyborg.
      “He went through hell within the last three months. And it did not kill him but made him even stronger. I’ve never seen him more determined than now.
      “Not too many champs in the world can share experience going through the war and making it to the ring to defend the heavyweight crown. It was an exclusively complicated assignment. But he seems to have passed it properly.”
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      Usyk also has extra motivation to defend his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight world title belts as he is flying the flag for Ukraine.
      Krassyuk revealed the fighter has the blessing of the Ukraine people to take on AJ as the bout is a chance to show off the best of what the country has to offer.
      The promoter added: “He made his decision to take the rematch in these circumstances after he’d received massive support from the Ukrainian military.
      “He was in touch with high-ranking officers, he visited hospitals with injured combatants, he spoke with fans and in each and every conversation he heard words of support and blessings to take the rematch.
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      “People want him to fight. People want him to win. They all want the Ukrainian flag to be risen and the Ukrainian anthem to be heard throughout the planet.
      “The whole world has to know that Ukraine is the country of free, transparent, strong, spiritual and developed people. Not too many men are able to deliver these messages. Usyk is and he does that through sports.
      “Let history judge how special he is.”
      Boxing legend Mike Tyson believes Usyk’s speed and jab will cause Joshua problems in Saudia Arabia, and tips the 19-0 star to beat the Brit unless AJ can land a knock-out.
      Tyson Fury also expects Usyk to win again as he is “too good a boxer” for Joshua, who does not possess the ability to pressure Usyk for 12 rounds according to the Gypsy King. More

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      Joe Joyce pushing to make Joseph Parker fight for WBC heavyweight title after Tyson Fury confirms retirement

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      JOE JOYCE’S team are pushing to make his fight with Joseph Parker for the WBC title after Tyson Fury’s latest retirement announcement. Fury initially hung up his gloves after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April.
      Joe Joyce, promoter Frank Warren and Joseph ParkerCredit: Rex
      Tyson Fury could lose his WBC belt after retiringCredit: Getty
      But four months later he spoke out to claim he was returning to fight Derek Chisora, 38, in an unlikely trilogy following his 2011 and 2014 wins.
      Then only two days after, on his 34th birthday, Fury doubled down on his retirement and vacated his Ring Magazine belt.
      He is yet to do the same with his WBC title and has been given until August 26 to inform them of his decision in writing.
      But SunSport understands Joyce’s team are already pushing to make his heavyweight bout with Parker, 30, for the vacant belt.
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      The pair headline in Manchester on September 24 and do so both highly ranked in the WBC.
      Joyce, 36, is No2 while Parker is just a place behind him with only ex-champ Deontay Wilder, 36, ahead of the two.
      But given Fury’s deadline, Joyce’s request might be knocked back or a shot at the “interim” belt could be offered.
      In theory, that gives the title holder a guaranteed shot at the full title, like was the case with Whyte, 34.
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      Fury’s promoters are still hoping the Gypsy King will be tempted back for a historic, first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
      But firstly, Oleksandr Usyk, 35, must rematch Anthony Joshua, 32, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday following his win in September.
      Joyce is the WBO mandatory challenger for the winner, but amid hopes of a unification, he faces a wait for his shot.
      Joe Joyce is ranked highly with the WBC and WBOCredit: Getty More

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      Who is Anthony Joshua’s new head trainer Robert Garcia?

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA takes on Oleksandr Usyk in a make-or-break rematch in Saudi Arabia.And he will have a new name in his corner for the crucial fight, esteemed trainer Robert Garcia.
      Anthony Joshua has handed the coachings reigns to ex-world champ Robert GarciaCredit: PA
      Who is Robert Garcia?
      Robert Garcia is Joshua’s new head trainer, with AJ splitting from long-time coach Rob McCracken following his loss to Usyk in their first fight last September.
      Garcia has guided 14 different men to world titles throughout his legendary career as a trainer, but none above middleweight.
      Fighters he’s trained include former four-division champ and brother Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Jose Ramirez, Bam Rodriguez, Abner Mares, Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios and Antonio Margarito.
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      The Mexican was also a fighter himself, and won the IBF super-featherweight world title in 1998
      McCracken had led Joshua to Olympic gold at London 2012, his first world title in 2016, and the regaining of his belts in 2019.
      But the tactics Joshua used in the defeat to Usyk were widely panned, so the Watford man went out in search of a new voice in the corner.

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      What has Anthony Joshua said about Garcia?
      AJ, 32, visited the likes of Virgil Hunter, Eddy Reynoso and Ronnie Shields but it was Garcia that impressed him the most.
      Many people believe that Garcia, who has a track record of producing aggressive and powerful fighters, is the perfect choice for the two-time heavyweight world champion.
      Rob McCraken has been replaced by Robert Garcia
      Joshua said: “Texas, Fresno, LA, I saw a lot of coaches everywhere before choosing my new trainer – and there were coaches that I didn’t get to see – but he was the standout. Robert Garcia is a bad boy coach.
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      “When I first turned pro, I did my first few training camps in Eddie’s [Hearn] back garden. That’s where we first started.
      “Then, I moved to Tony Sims’ gym, for probably the first two or three fights, and then after that, I was allowed to train in Sheffield.
      “I’ve been a pro for nine years, so for about seven or eight years I’ve been in Sheffield and this is my first time training out of there, but for 11 years, I trained with Rob [McCracken].”
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      Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk tale of the tape: Where the fight will be won and lost ahead of huge rematch

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has the chance to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk and become a three-time heavyweight champion. But double defeat to the Ukrainian, who won last September, leaves AJ’s stock at an all-time low.

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      Joshua, 32, was bettered over 12 rounds but has since changed trainers and vowed to come in with an all-new style.
      Whereas Usyk, 35, appears to have bulked up in preparation for the rematch on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
      Here, SunSport runs down how the two compare and where the fight will be won and lost.
      Speed
      AJ is renowned for his hand speed, especially when he puts shots together in combinations.
      But Usyk has the slicker feet and moves like a man much smaller in size.
      Speed is a key factor for both men and could shape how the bout develops.
      Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk on pointsCredit: PA
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      Power
      Joshua is the harder puncher on paper, but it was Usyk who did the greater damage last year.
      AJ opted to try and outbox the southpaw at range but in the rematch he must throw in numbers and try to hit and hurt.
      Usyk was only a punch or two away from stopping Joshua last time and if he senses the Londoner tiring, he should put the pressure on.
      Anthony Joshua was almost stopped by Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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      Experience
      There isn’t too much to separate the two in experience, Joshua has had 26 fights compared to Usyk’s 19.
      But the two-weight world champ had 350 amateur bouts, meanwhile AJ only started boxing aged 18.
      Although he has had 11 world titles bout, compared to Usyk’s eight, and has had a rematch before in the pro ranks, whereas his rival hasn’t.
      Oleksandr Usyk had 350 amateur fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Record
      Usyk is unbeaten in his 19 bouts, stretching across two divisions having reigning as undisputed at cruiserweight.
      Joshua has been in world title fights since 2015 and is the more experienced heavyweight boxer.
      But Usyk’s extensive amateur career, where he faced all sizes and styles, has proven pivotal in his success as a pro.
      Anthony Joshua is a two-time heavyweight championCredit: Getty
      Physique
      AJ is notably the bigger man, weighing 17st 2lb while Usyk came in at 15st 11lb.
      But Usyk appears much heavier this time around and Amir Khan claimed he weighs TWO STONE more after they linked up in Dubai.
      Joshua must use his size to better affect this fight, doubling up his jab and hammering away to both head and body.
      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk weighing inCredit: AP More