Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk - The Predictions

Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua collides with undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO mandatory challenger, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25. Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles will be on the line.

If these predictions ring true - it looks like size indeed matters.

“There are question marks. or maybe we get from Usyk what we saw against Chisora and that won’t be enough. I mean maybe Usyk has adjusted to the size, and he will be a real problem for Joshua” - Promoter, Eddie Hearn

“The problem with Usyk is he’s not going to naturally be able to gain weight and be even close to the size he needs to compete. He’ll give Joshua problems early on with his boxing skills but eventually Joshua will get to him and grind him down and stop him or beat him on a clear decision” - Former world champion Barry McGuigan

“I think Joshua will win but you never know because Usyk will have some tricks up his sleeve. I’m looking forward to seeing the fight and seeing how it goes” - Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce

“Usyk has never impressed me as a heavyweight. I’ve seen him pack on a bit, but the thing is he will give anyone problems because of his boxing skills. He gives them all trouble and I think he can give AJ problems” - Trainer Mark Tibbs

“I think size will play a part. I think you’d be naive to think it won’t play a factor. I think size will play a factor as the fight goes on and I think he (Joshua) should stop him in 8 or 9 rounds” - Trainer Shane McGuigan.

“If I invented a heavyweight for a video game it would be Anthony Joshua for size, skill, everything. He’s shown heart and he’s got that dog in him. Usyk is undefeated and has an awkward style. Anthony is a super heavyweight. This guy is very athletic. I think it is a difficult fight for either guy, but I go with Anthony Joshua” - Former world champion Chris Algieri

“I don’t believe Usyk is a heavyweight for one. In my opinion Derek Chisora beat Usyk. I think Joshua walks right through Usyk. He didn’t have the power to halt cruiserweights, so he isn’t going to hurt a big heavyweight like Joshua” - Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury

“I think it’s going to be a great fight I don’t know who is going to win the fight. I’m going with Usyk. I think he’ll pull off the upset” - Former world champion Tim Bradley

"I think if Joshua decides to have a tit-for-tat boxing match, like just jabbing and trying to score points, then he’d have some trouble, but he’s not stupid enough to do that. He’s just going to use his beautiful jab, use his height and reach advantage, his size and weight advantage, his punch power advantage, his physical athletic advantage, the advantage of being able to receive punches from big heavyweights. He’s just better all-round and it’s just gonna be pretty devastating”. - Former world champion David Haye