Oleksandr Usyk showed 60-70% of his of capabilities against Anthony Joshua and can improve in a rematch, according to the Ukranian’s manager, Sergey Lapin.
Usyk put on a dominant performance to dethrone Joshua of his WBA ‘super’, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight world titles in London in September.
The pair are expected to meet for a second time in early 2022 after Joshua activated his rematch clause and Lapin, the Chief Officer of Usyk 17 Promotions says the 34-year-old, former undisputed cruiserweight champion can produce even better than his first showing.
“I have known Alexander for more than 20 years,” Lapin told mybettingsites.co.uk.
“I have been there and seen all of his successes in boxing.
“One thing that sets him apart is he processes information and adapts to the fighter in front of him very, very quickly. It sometimes seems to me that he is from another planet – he is that good.
“Despite the fact that he has a huge amount of experience and fights behind him, he is constantly improving and getting better every training day.
“I have seen and know what Usyk is really capable of, and the version of Usyk in the fight with Anthony Joshua was 60-70 percent of his potential.
“So yes, Usyk can really be better.”
A second victory over Joshua would lead Usyk towards an undisputed title clash with WBC champion, Tyson Fury who has been ordered to defend his belt against Dillian Whyte.
The pair came face-to-face at Madison Square Garden earlier this month, with both in attendance for Vasiliy Lomachenko’s win over Richard Commey.
Fury, who stands at 6”9 has a six inch reach advantage over Usyk and there are 50lbs in weight difference, with ‘The Gypsy King’ weighing in at 277lbs for his October trilogy with Deontay Wilder and Usyk at a career heaviest 221lbs for his bout with ‘AJ’.
But, Lapin insists those will not be determining factors if the undefeated pair met.
“As for a potential fight with Fury. Fury has an advantage in size, and he is mobile and fast for a boxer with his size, but there is one thing,” Lapin added.
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“The biggest problem with these huge heavyweights is their condition in 12-round confrontations.
“The pace of the fight that Alexander sets, the huge heavyweights of today will not be able to stand.
“Technically, it will be very interesting. Tyson Fury has a very uncomfortable boxing technique, but in order for Fury to deliver his series of blows, he will need to spend a lot of effort, and this will be his undoing.
“Ultimately the weight and height advantage in this fight does not matter for Alexander Usyk, he adapts to any opponent.
“Observers of world boxing will soon see how Alexander Usyk will restore order in the heavyweight division.”
