Oleksandr Usyk has 'some of the best basic boxing skills ever' - what makes the champion so good? | | Boxing News

As Britain’s top heavyweights prepare for Oleksandr Usyk, it’s perhaps surprising that the man often called up for sparring is a 3-0 Irish prospect.

Thomas Carty was summoned to camp with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua for a live rematch with Usyk. sky sports box office Aug. 20, and Derek Chisora.

“I called myself the Poundland version of Usyk,” he laughs.

But Carty, a heavyweight southpaw, has aspired to box like Usyk since early in his amateur career.

“I learned how to punch properly, and I always had a really solid foundation,” Carty said. sky sports.

“I was also mobile as a big guy. Plus, as I started to mature, I got a little stronger. I was punching properly and now I have a little pop in my shots.”

“I think I’ve developed a kind of slick, power-punching style, which is very interesting to watch. Southpaws as well, shots are a lot flashier than they are when throwing.”

But he understands why Usyk is such a formidable fighter.

“What makes him effective and good is his mobility. His legs are really, really good. I would say he has some of the best boxing skills,” Carty said.

“Then there is the left-handed component, and things are unusual. If you have 100 men in a boxing gym, less than 5% will be left-handed.”

“I think it’s something you don’t see very often at the elite level of the heavyweight division,” he added.

“I remember seeing him object [Tony] Bellew and he were throwing jab left hooks. Next week in sparring I’m throwing a jab left hook and there’s someone sleeping in the ring. I can do it. It’s proven.

“If we can emulate Usyk even one percent, we’ll do well.”

This is something Carty has been looking for for a long time, since Usyk was still an amateur.

“I was picking someone who could steal some of their moves or emulate some of their moves, and Usyk was about as tall,” Karty explained. Same weight, left-handed, mobile feet, great straight punches.

“So I try to imitate this guy because he’s doing so well for himself. Little did I know. [back then] He eventually became an Olympic champion and world champion in heavyweight. He’s an amateur and cruiserweight he was 91 kg so it’s kind of crazy.

He did it so well that after only one professional match, he was called up to his first sparring camp against then-world champion Joshua.

“It’s surreal to say the least. I’ve never seen an Irish heavyweight sparring with Joshua. No one has actually done that and I’ve been doing it for weeks.” The fact that I was there and they liked what I was doing in 1.-0 was really good with the confidence,” Carty said.

“I was asked to do my own thing. They were happy with whatever I would naturally do to recreate Usyk. Force me to do this move or that move.” There was nothing I could do as good as I could, that’s what I did.

“It was a really fun experience, and I emphasize the surreal because Anthony Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, is the guy me and my buddies see on TV all the time. Whenever is fighting. Suddenly you’re brought in to help him get ready.”

It was an educational experience for Carty as well. He saw what sets top heavyweights apart from the rest.

“Obviously, they have really great facilities that they have available to them, but aside from the facilities, there’s no secret. There’s nothing they do at the gym that they can’t do at the gym. The difference is they do everything It’s the strength to do,” Carty said. “It’s the intensity and that’s what makes the difference.

“They all train at a very high level. What struck me about Joshua is how much he trains and how hard he trains. So, it’s no secret what he’s been doing, he’s just been training a lot, a lot, Joshua really lives life.

“The margin between where you are and the top isn’t that big, but it’s very hard to close the gap,” he added.

“It’s doable, but you have to shave it down consistently and it will happen.”

Karty will be next in the box on the undercard for Michael Conlan’s match against Miguel Mariaga tonight (August 6) at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Then he wants to fight for the Irish heavyweight title as soon as possible.

“I definitely want to win. If I win, I’ll be the first champion since Tyson Fury. He’s the last name on the belt. I’ll fight next, but I need someone to fight. Fight me.” I need to build more names so I can give them more money.

“Because they never look forward to fighting me.”

The heavyweight rematch between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk will be streamed live at the Sky Sports box office on Saturday, August 20th. Book Usyk vs Joshua 2 now!