Former Cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson seems unimpressed with Anthony Joshua’s approach to his highly anticipated rematch against Oleksandr Usyk next month.
Like Usyk, Johnny Neslon is an outstanding Cruiserweight who held the WBO belt from 1995 to 2005, making him the longest reigning Cruiserweight belt holder of all time. ‘The Entertainer’ also sets the record for the most successful world title defense with 13.
On August 20 in Saudi Arabia, Joshua has a chance to become a three-time heavyweight champion. He entered the rematch to avenge the 2021 defeat to Usyk, and in doing so, regained possession of the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
Social Boxing Ayman Khan catch up with Nelson about the upcoming war in Jeddah and it’s clear fellow Brits aren’t impressed with AJ’s current approach:
“What I take away from it is, I’m not comfortable with the familiarity with AJ and Usyk.”
“If I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not comfortable with how comfortable AJ let Usyk feel, at this stage in boxing, a lot of fights are won well and really before you hit the ring. .”
“These two will fight and when Usyk feels comfortable, he will bring out his full potential.”
“I looked and I thought ‘no man – don’t let that man be comfortable around you, make him uncomfortable in your presence’.”
The Sky pundit went on to question Joshua’s attitude during the first two press conferences:
“Makes him feel uncomfortable – you know that for me that’s the right attitude to have.”
“Usyk is smiling and they are happy to take a selfie together. I was like don’t do that to that man, you know this is work, later be his friend. “
“The war has begun you know and you need, sorry my french, cut it”
Nelson doesn’t rule out Brit will get a show of hands next month, but says he needs to start playing ‘dirty’ and his team needs to remind him of that:
“I understand where AJ is coming from because he is a gentleman and wants to start the business on his own.”
“This is the worst game and sometimes you have to play some dirty games – for me this is one of those occasions.”
“This is the first mistake I see him make. It’s not an impossible mission for AJ to win, what I’m saying is the fight has already begun. “
“I just don’t like it and his team needs to remind him and say ‘cut it off. “
“You want to make him [Usyk] Think about it, what’s going on here?”
