Hunter: "Usyk needs to perform at his best against Joshua"

Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter

American heavyweight Michael Hunter is familiar with the capabilities of Alexander Usyk. Hunter was still competing at cruiserweight in 2017 when he suffered his only career loss to Usyk by unanimous decision. Hunter moved up to heavyweight in his next fight.

Usyk continued his march to the cruiserweight title and became the undisputed champion. He later left his four belts vacant and moved up to heavyweight in 2019. Usyk will face IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on September 25 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Hunter sees Usyk as a very dangerous opponent for Joshua. "He's agile and defensive-minded," Hunter told Sky Sports. "It will be very difficult to beat Usyk with confidence. Joshua has to have a concrete plan for the fight and he will have to follow it. It's going to be a very difficult task. Will he be able to handle it? I think this style of fighting is the hardest for him."

Hunter dismisses opinions that Usyk isn't big enough or strong enough to beat a fighter like Joshua: "Any guy in the 200 is pretty much a super heavyweight. We all hit hard."

"Even though he doesn't focus on power punches, he has enough power to take and withstand punches. He puts on weight, he's taller than me, he has enough anthropometry. He knows how to do it exceptionally well. He hasn't lost or had much trouble yet since he turned pro."

"Many say he hasn't yet proven himself to the best of his ability. Against Joshua, he's going to have to do that. He's done it a few times before, like in the Olympics. He's a boxer of the highest class. Joshua is still learning, gaining experience. There's an element of surprise because we don't know what kind of shape Joshua will come out in. But we do know how Usyk will come out, we just don't know at what level," Hunter said.