'AJ has the hunger back', but 'Usyk could get even better'

The winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch is likely to be decided by which of the fighters makes the right adjustments and that question will only be answered when the two box again on August 20, live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office.

But the signs in the build-up are that a different type of fight is in store for the rematch, certainly from Joshua. Before the former champion set up his training camp in Saudi Arabia, he had been training in Loughborough alongside rising cruiserweight star Richard Riakporhe.

Riakporhe has seen an uncommon determination in Joshua to win back his unified heavyweight titles and avenge the points loss he suffered against Usyk last year.

"I can't give away the game plan because I would get slaughtered but one thing I will tell you, the intensity, the intention behind his shots when he throws, the hunger, with what he's achieved so far, coming back into the gym day in and day out," Riakporhe said.

"A lot of people would not be able to do that if they had achieved what Anthony Joshua has achieved so far. He's hungry. He wants to create a legacy for himself. I can see in his eyes, I can see in his body language. I message him, he's up at 6am sending me videos. I'm sending him videos too, studying, studying and studying some more.

"He's going to do it. I believe he's going to do it."

Gallery: EarthRoamer LTi (motor1.com)

The task on August 20 will be even harder though than it was in September when they first fought. Usyk will likely have improved too.

Cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley said: "The winner also gets a chance to adjust and learn from the first fight. We always focus on the person that came up short. But the winner was also in there. So that's a factor to