Deposed heavyweight Anthony Joshua is aiming for a knockout victory over Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.
Usyk beat Joshua with a convincing points victory back in September last year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.
Many observers had predicted a win for Joshua in the first fight due to his size advantage, but he appeared to box within himself and was dominated by the smaller man.
He has the chance to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO belts in the rematch, which is expected to be made for July this year after delays from Usyk’s side. The Ukrainian returned to his home country upon the invasion by Russia in order to join the defence forces.
Usyk has now begun his training camp after leaving Ukraine, and Joshua has altered his strategy by promoting assistant coach Angel Fernandez to head up his own training programme.
Speaking to the Oxford Union, Joshua explained his experience in the first fight and how he would change for this summer.
“The fight with Usyk, in my mind, was going for 12 rounds,’ Joshua explained.
“That was my game plan because I thought I could compete with him as a boxer. And I think he won two more rounds than I did. That’s how he became champion.
“So the goal now is to go back to basics and go for the knockout.
“I always feel, when I’m sparring or fighting people, I actually see their spirit get dampened.
“Honestly, when you’re looking at this person directly in their eyes and watching their body, you can read the body and punch after punch this person is slowly fading.
“Now when you’re boxing, the art of boxing is to hit and not get hit. So you’re kind of boxing to stay away. That’s not really my style.
“My style is to be up close and personal and make it difficult for the person. So that’s the game plan.”