Frazer Clarke believes Anthony Joshua has given himself every chance of defeating Oleksandr Usyk later this month.
'AJ' will look to secure redemption when he bids to overturn his defeat to Usyk last September, in a rematch at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia on August 20. The former two-time heavyweight champion came under heavy fire for his uncharacteristic attempt to outbox Usyk in their first clash, which saw him part ways with long-term trainer Rob McCracken.
Joshua has now added experienced American Robert Garcia to his corner ahead of the second meeting, who will work alongside previous coach Angel Fernandez. Clarke, who has worked alongside Joshua at Loughborough University, believes Garcia has helped bring the former two-time heavyweight champion back to his best.
"He's got every chance. From what I've seen him put in on a daily and a weekly basis, he's given himself every chance and that's all you can ask from a fighter in a camp,” Clarke said when assessing Joshua's chances of beating Usyk in an interview with Sky Sports. “If you give everything you've got to give, with the experience and the skill he's already got, he's given himself every chance.
"I feel like [Joshua is] a nice guy. I think someone had to pull the bad guy out of him. I think Robert Garcia was good to do that. He's brought it out of him. This could be Britain's greatest night of heavyweight boxing. I feel like everyone's putting him as a massive underdog and he might just get outboxed for 12 rounds, but you'd be daft to bet against him."
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It will be Joshua's second attempt at avenging a loss during his boxing career, having successfully beaten Andy Ruiz Jr in the Middle East following defeat on his American debut back in 2019. Joshua was able to box his way to victory on that occasion, but it is widely recognised he will need a more aggressive style to combat Usyk's strengths.
A win for Joshua will make him three-time heavyweight champion and set up a huge undisputed title clash against Tyson Fury who is understood to be waiting for the outcome of the fight. Despite being the underdog, Joshua still possesses huge size advantages which his trainer Garcia is hoping to help him use as a key to victory.
