Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk: How the pair are shaping up ahead of rematch

Anthony Joshua faces Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah on Saturday with the aim of seizing back the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he lost to his rival last September.

Here the PA news agency analyses the two fighters ahead of their rematch.

Pound for pound contender Usyk has been described as a “genius” by promoter Eddie Hearn and it is hard to disagree.

An awkward southpaw counter-puncher, the 35-year-old former undisputed cruiserweight world champion has speed on his side. He is technically brilliant, has excellent ring IQ and moves with agility.

Joshua throws high-quality shots and has power in both hands, but his straight right is his most devastating weapon.

A key strength against Usyk will be his superior size and strength that he must leverage at close quarters.

Joshua knows he cannot win by using the same tactics that led to his downfall in the first fight.

His attempt to outbox the skilful Usyk was baffling, he failed to capitalise on his size advantage and he was surprisingly passive.

New trainer Robert Garcia has been recruited to oversee a more aggressive approach, mentally and physically.

Usyk’s weight is less than a pound heavier than for the first fight and there are unlikely to be any major changes in the knowledge he has Joshua’s number. His focus in the early rounds will be on adjusting to what his opponent brings this time.

Not much has changed in this respect with Joshua retaining close to a two-stone advantage.

A curious feature of the build-up has been the discussion over what appeared to be Usyk’s meatier frame, but when he stepped on to the scales only a nine-ounce increase showed up.

Even Joshua had been lured into talking about what a more muscular Usyk meant, but instead he will face the same cat-like reflexes