Johnny Nelson makes bold prediction for Anthony Joshua knockout of Oleksandr Usyk – EXCLUSIVE

Former world heavyweight champion Johnny Nelson predicts Anthony Joshua will knock out Oleksandr Usyk in seven rounds when they face off for the second time this Saturday. But the boxer-turned-pundit thinks Joshua needs to get so "dirty" in the rematch that he's about to be "ejected" by the referee if he hopes to abide by Nelson's verdict.

Speaking to Express Sport, Nelson said: "I don't think it goes the distance, I'm going Anthony Joshua in seven rounds. Look, he's gotta get dirty, he's gotta get dirty. dirty, and I know I'm wrong to say that. He has to get Usyk to complain to the ref, he has to lean on him, he has to bully him, he has to rub the inside of his glove on his ear, he must be making this guy uncomfortable.

"The only thing that turned me off was when they announced this fight and Usyk is taking selfies with him and I'm like 'no, don't make this man comfortable with you ' AJ has to be dirty and filthy in this fight to the point where it's almost borderline for the ref to push him back in. Tyson Fury does it and look where Fury went.

"It's part of the war when you're in the ring and he has to push things to the limit and be unorthodox. He has to let the shots go but if he tries to fight cleanly like in good meaning, then he will lose."

Nelson is one of the few pundits who has supported Joshua throughout the build-up to fight night and has been very vocal about AJ's chances. The Sky Sports presenter - who will be part of Usyk's broadcast team against Joshua II - highlighted Usyk's vulnerability to the body and believes it will be a key target area for Joshua when they fight again.

Usyk has been injured by body shots during his amateur career on occasion. In 2011, he was dropped by a liver hook from now WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. Then two years later, in a World Series of Boxing bout, a direct right to the solar plex from three-time world championship gold medalist Magomedrasul Majidov sent Usyk to the canvas again.

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Under new coach Robert Garcia, Joshua is expected to take a more aggressive approach to the likes Nelson is referring to when he faces Usyk on August 20. The pair will trade leather live on Sky Sports Box Office at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the world watches.