Eddie Hearn, promoter for heavyweight Anthony Joshua, wants his boxer to be more aggressive in the upcoming rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua was criticized for not being aggressive enough last September, when Usyk outboxed him for the WBO, IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight titles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The British star had attempted to outbox Usyk, a strategy that failed as the fight played out.

Their rematch will take place on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.

For the rematch, Joshua parted ways with longtime trainer Robert McCracken and brought on veteran coach Robert Garcia.

Hearn expects more fireworks in the second encounter, because he anticipates Joshua throwing more punches.

"I don't think you can just be aggressive against Oleksandr Usyk, but you certainly have to be aggressive. He has to let his hands go more. He has to damage Oleksandr Usyk whenever he can and he has to get him out of his rhythm," Hearn told The Sun.

"I don't think Oleksandr Usyk likes getting hit. I don't think he liked getting hit first in the first fight and he didn't get hit much. So AJ has got to take the chances when they present themselves and he's got to be smarter. But he's got to let his hands go.

"I think this fight will be a lot more exciting than the first because AJ has shared 12 rounds with Usyk. And he understands the skills he and the attributes of Oleksandr Usyk and he has to negate that with his assets. Which is his power, speed and combination punching. Easier said than done. But certainly, I believe you're going to see a much more aggressive Anthony Joshua in this fight."