British heavyweight Frazer Clarke has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.
Joshua lost to Usyk last September when he fought the Ukrainian former undisputed cruiserweight champion. Joshua had been considered the favourite but Usyk put on a dominant display to secure three belts.
There was talk of an undisputed clash with Tyson Fury but the WBC champion instead fought his mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte last month, and Usyk returned to Ukraine to take up arms against the Russian invasion of his homeland.
The three-belt champion was given permission to leave the country and he has now begun preparations for his first heavyweight title defence, which Eddie Hearn currently expects to take place on July 23, though a venue and date has yet to be finalised.
Joshua was criticised for his strategy last year when he seemed to be aiming to outbox his technically adept opponent rather than focusing on his own advantages of size and strength. He has since replaced his head trainer with Angel Fernandez, who was promoted from within his team,
Fernandez also trains Clarke, and he told Sky Sports that Joshua has since improved.
"I think the loss has made him better," Clarke said. "He's opened his eyes a bit.
"It's made him mentally better. I think he knows what he needs to do.
"I think he's changed his situation, which he thinks will help him. He's got a team of people that are dedicated for one thing, and that's AJ getting the result."
"You can't write Usyk off, he's an unbelievable fighter. But I'd like to think AJ's in a place where he can go on and get this win."