Legendary boxing figure Teddy Atlas announces the August 20 world heavyweight title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua there’s an X-Factor about it.
Nine months ago, Usyk walked into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and became the unified champion of three titles after beating Joshua on points. The Ukrainians were then deeply moved by the victory and put on their shoulders the country’s flag. This year, the two colors blue and yellow have become symbols of support from the world during the Russian invasion and numerous attacks on the independent nation.
Usyk-Joshua 2 build focused on changes that the British went to his camp and opinions on what he must do to beat the gifted champion. On the flip side, there’s another factor that could have influenced Usyk’s entry into the 20th professional game of his career.
Returning to Ukraine this year to take up arms against Russia Atlas wonders what effect the fight will have on Usyk heading into the rematch.
Speaking on his podcast ‘War with Teddy Atlas’ former coach and television analyst said:
“Usyk has just gone through a life-changing experience. Buildings, factories, people’s lives, he had seen destroyed by cannon. Not the artillery of the left or the right, the cannon of the bomb, the machine gun, the missile of the Russian army.”
“That affects you. I don’t care what kind of martial artist you are.”
“Suddenly, wow boxing isn’t as important as it used to be. When that scenario strikes the family, and not always, but in this case because of the war, when you live through it as Usyk did and you’re touched by it Usyk changed. Your opinion. “
“And healthy in that regard and rightly so, it is not healthy for a gladiator. It’s not healthy for a guy to have to be in that ring and that has to be a priority. “
Atlas went on to give his predictions for the rematch:
“That’s what makes this X-Factor. It will be that or it will be him sticking to fighting for Ukraine, fighting for that flag, fighting for the pride of my country. I’m fighting for people to give them some hope. So it will be one or the other”.
“That’s what makes this fight so appealing to me because otherwise it could have been a one-sided war, except for its power. [Joshua] The right hand can change everything. “
“That’s how I break up the fight, that’s what makes it interesting, that’s what makes it semi-important.”
“I’ll go with Usyk again.”
