Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 press conference LIVE: Heavyweights go head-to-head in Jeddah
Joshua looks for redemption in Saudi Arabia in the rematch against the Ukrainian
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk came face to face in Jeddah on Wednesday ahead of their world heavyweight title rematch. The Briton lost at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September and AJ will hope to repeat his trick after achieving redemption against Andy Ruiz in a rematch in Saudi Arabia. There is the possibility of the winner becoming undisputed champion in the next fight, although Tyson Fury’s most recent retirement clouds the future of the division.
The pair exchanged words earlier, with both men looking calm and relaxed, with just three days remaining, the hard work is done. Both could agree on the value of sparring partners though, with Usyk concurring with his rival, adding “they are the people who make us better”. As Joshua bids to take on the mesmerising and outrageously skilful Usyk once more, AJ underlined his hunger to “compete” and the challenge to meet his own expectations in the ring. The former champion downplayed the significance of the belts, with the WBA, WBO and IBF belts on the line, plus The Ring Magazine belt, which was relinquished by Fury after his announcement he would not fight again.
Joshua may be the underdog, but there is pressure coming from the media and former fighters Johnny Nelson and Carl Froch, who believe this could be his last fight. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who is eyeing up round six as pivotal to the outcome of the fight, maintains the 32-year-old would need to be patient for another shot at the title if he loses again, but that it is far from the end of the road: “He loves what he does, AJ loves to fight. He loves boxing. It will be difficult to get a shot at the world heavyweight title. But why would you even consider retiring from the sport if you lose to the pound-for-pound number one? Unless you just didn’t want to do it anymore.” Recap everything that was said at the press conference from the fighters and their teams below:
Oleksandr Usyk sings at final press conference in Saudi Arabia
Oleksandr Usyk looks confidence, so much so that he breaks into song at the end of that press conference.
Dillian Whyte on Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2
Dillian Whyte on Usyk vs Joshua: “I expect him to bounce back, I always support my own. I hope AJ gets the job done.
“I can understand the need to be more aggressive. I wasn’t as aggressive in my last fight, I need to rediscover that, and it’s the right mindset for AJ.
“He’ll be extremely nervous, alert and cautious, it’s not a bad thing. It changes everythig for him.
“He might not be feeling as much pressure? But I think he’ll be nervous.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Joshua interrupts the conclusion of the press conference, makes a special mention for his sparring partners, who he says “push him everyday”.
Usyk agrees: “I want to say how important they [sparring partners] are, these are the people who make us better.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Usyk: “He learned from me, I learned from him.
“I don’t think it will be all new, the last bout will continue the round 13, 14 and 15.
“We had enough time to study each other. This Saturday will be a great, great fight.
“We were born to compete, for life, belts, for anything.
“The one who does not compete, does not live. All our lives are competition, for anything, something, for somebody. That’s why we’re competing.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Now it’s Usyk’s turn to speak...
“It’s very important for my country. I’m really happy to be here, it’s my third time in Saudi Arabia.
“I feel like I’ll be here again and again.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
AJ is discussing his month in Saudi, arriving early for the rematch to acclimatise to his surroundings.
“It’s tough, but I’m relishing the challenge,” he says. “Let’s get the job done, god willing, I’ll be victorious.
“It’s competition, I have goals, I need to be disciplined to follow through. It’s competition with yourself, the belts mean something, but that’s at the end.
“I’ll focus on the process first and foremost. I want to compete. I have a competitive spirit.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
“We’re ready to do it,” says Robert Garcia.
“It was a challenge, coming off a loss, doing the gameplan, sparring and everything. The rest of the team did a great job.
“Saturday we’ll walk out with those belts.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Now it’s the turn of Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager.
“I’ve never seen anybody, in 45C, ride a bicyle for 100km, somebody swimming before the press conference for 10km, for five hours, somebody holding their breath for four minutes, 40 seconds.
“I asked what’s wrong with you?”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Alexander Krassyuk is speaking, saying Usyk has never been in better shape.
He spoke to people in Ukraine during the war and “they wanted him to fight”.
“The whole world needs to know Ukraine is the country of the free, not many men can deliver this message to hundreds of millions.
“Usyk can do this through the sport of boxing. If I start to say how good he is, since I was his promoter, more than nine years, let the history judge how special he is.
“I wish both fighters good luck, may the best man win.”
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