Mike Tyson says American boxing fans ‘expect a lot out of’ Anthony Joshua with Brit ‘no walkover’ ahead of Usyk rematch
MIKE TYSON believes American boxing fans “expect a lot out of” Anthony Joshua, who is still “no walkover”.
Joshua, 32, suffered disaster on his US debut in 2019 after he was stunned by outsider Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, in New York.
He would avenge the loss six months later but again lost the unified titles last September on points to Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
It has seen his cloak of armour vanish amongst a certain set of fans with Usyk now the bookies favourite heading into their expected rematch.
But heavyweight icon Tyson has backed Joshua’s corner and reminded fickle fans of AJ’s threat.
He said on Joe Rogan’s podcast: “Anthony Joshua’s no walkover. It’s just that for some reason, I don’t know, we expect a lot from Joshua.
read more boxing stories
“I guess maybe because English people are so behind him and we got caught up in the bandwagon too.
“Americans expect a lot out of Joshua.”
Joshua tried but failed to outbox fellow Olympic gold winner Usyk in tactics later called into question.
Tyson, now 55, added: “He can do so much, that’s why he’s never a lost hope. He’s dangerous, Joshua, because he’s still f***ing learning.
Most read in Boxing
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“Joshua needs to pick up the pace just a little. He’s got so much damn potential.”
Usyk is set to rematch Joshua in July with venues in the UK and Middle East currently in talks.
Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to officially announce the fight next week, when Canelo Alvarez, 31, faces Dmitry Bivol, also 31.
