When Joshua encounters Usyk, he lacks confidence – Wilder

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Heavyweight Deontay Wilder believes that Anthony Joshua’s lack of confidence played a significant role in his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday morning.

Analysts remarked that Joshua performed better in Saudi Arabia after losing to Usyk last year, but it wasn’t enough as Usyk won the heavyweight titles by a split decision.

The 32-year-old Joshua’s mentality has been questioned by Wilder, who will fight again on October 15 against Robert Helenius of Finland. According to Wilder, Joshua lacked confidence prior to the fight.

“Occasionally you just look at both fighters, and occasionally the eye test will tell it all,” Wilder revealed to ESNews on Wednesday.

“Body language conveys meaning in the same way that a fighter’s momentum does. When you looked at Usyk, you could tell how self-assured he was, how the situation had altered, and how he felt like himself.

Joshua wasn’t acting like himself; he wasn’t being the driven, assured person he usually is.