Tony Bellew vs Oleksandr Usyk: Anthony Joshua believes ‘perfect boxer’ Usyk is slim-favourite

Joshua believes Usyk is the favourite to win but does not rule out Bellew

Anthony Joshua believes that “perfect boxer” Oleksandr Usyk holds the upper hand against Tony Bellew but revealed he will be supporting his compatriot ahead of their 1 December Cruiserweight title clash.

Usyk is undefeated WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF champion and the overwhelming favourite ahead of their bout, although Bellew is no stranger to upsetting the odds.

After twice beating David Haye in his previous two fights, Bellew has revealed how hard he has found to cut weight to fight at cruiserweight, but Joshua believes his “dirty left hook” could give him an edge,

"From a supporter's perspective it's always going to be entertaining because I really like rooting for Bellew," Joshua told Sky Sports.

"I really want him to win, so my passion is with him, regardless. Then, from an entertaining point of view, Usyk is like a perfect boxer, so I hope Bellew is working on his counter-punches as well, because that's the way to knock him out - let him tippy-tap and then explode.

"As we've seen Bellew can counter-punch and he's got a dirty left hook, and if he can land that I think he'll do well."

For all his well-wishing, Joshua knows that his Matchroom partner is an outsider against the unbeaten Ukranian.

"If I am honest, Usyk is the favourite, straight-talking, because he's unbeaten and he's done it at cruiserweight and he's undisputed.”

"But, the thing with boxing, from like middleweight up, it takes one punch. One punch can change the course of a fight and, as I was saying, Bellew's got that in the locker.

"We all know he's got that as well, so that's what makes it so interesting."

Beating Bellew will be a way for Usyk to raise his profile in the UK and potentially set up a title fight against Joshua, who will fight an opponent of his choice in April, and the Ukrainian has previously admitted he is closely monitoring the Brit’s career.

However, Bellew warned Usyk that he would be foolish to think about his next fight before beating him. "People look at me as if they think I'm a good enough name for them to qualify to fight AJ," he said. "I don't know how they think that, but they do.

"Oleksandr Usyk will not be the first, and he possibly won't be the last. Let's just see how it goes.

"Ultimately he has to go through me. Everyone has to go through me. Let's just see how that pans out."