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Writer's pictureShidonna Raven

'There was too much IQ for Joshua': Former two division world champion

Updated: Sep 23, 2022

By Luke Bissett L

August 22, 2022

Source: Mail Online

Photo Source: Sky Sports


Former two division world champion Andre Ward has assessed Anthony Joshua's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.


The American claimed that Joshua suffered from 'mental fatigue' during his heavyweight loss to Usyk in Saudi Arabia.


Usyk won the rematch with a twelve round split decision victory over Joshua - retaining the WBO, IBF, IBO and WBA heavyweight titles.


Ward was ranked as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters during his glistening career, in which he won titles in both the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.


The 38-year-old retired with an undefeated record and was not surprised by fellow undefeated fighter Usyk's victory in Jeddah.


Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Ward said: 'There was too much IQ for Joshua. There’s no disrespect to Joshua. I can say that and still have respect for what Joshua did as an amateur and what he’s done as a pro.


'There’s no shade on Joshua, but it’s just the facts. You fight a certain kind of style for a long time and build up all that muscle, and you can look like an all-time great against certain guys.


If you don’t work on your game and evolve, it’s the same stuff. He’s got an awesome right hand, and it comes off like a rocket, but you take him out of that element into deep waters and make him think, you see the mental fatigue that comes over him.'





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