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 vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 press conference
Eddie Hearn is setting up the fight, selling both fighters and their credentials.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 press conference
A first? A national anthem before the press conference.
Everybody in attendance rises.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 press conference
Usyk, too, in an interesting outfit and haircut to match.
Robert Garcia deep in conversation with AJ, whispering in his ear.
We’re almost ready to go.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 press conference
Joshua is here and looks in a good mood as he strolls to the podium.
Anthony Joshua: I would have ‘smoked’ Oleksandr Usyk if he wasn’t a southpaw
Anthony Joshua has claimed that he would ‘smoke’ Oleksandr Usyk if the Ukrainian were not a southpaw.
Usyk earned a decision win against Joshua in London last September, taking the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles from the Briton in doing so. “AJ” will try to regain the belts and avenge the loss when the pair clash again this Saturday, their rematch taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The consensus among pundits is that Joshua, 32, must take a more aggressive approach than in his first fight with Usyk, 35, but the former champion has explained his tactics from that bout and why implementing aggression is not as easy as it seems.
Anthony Joshua: I would have ‘smoked’ Oleksandr Usyk if he wasn’t a southpaw
Joshua was beaten by Usyk on points last September and will attempt to avenge the loss this weekend
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: Media workouts
‘I’m the author of my own movie’: Anthony Joshua says he has learnt how to beat Oleksandr Usyk
A “re-invented” Anthony Joshua said he is well aware of Oleksandr Usyk’s tricks and knows what he must do to defeat the Ukrainian when they meet in their rematch in Jeddah on 20 August.
Usyk beat Joshua in front of a sell-out crowd at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September to take the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts.
The 32-year-old Briton, who now has a new trainer in American former super-featherweight world champion Robert Garcia, said he learned a lot from his first meeting with Usyk.
“I know what he’s going to do, I know what I’ve got to do,” Joshua told the BBC. “I’ve been in there before, I know his tricks. I’ve got to go change the narrative. I’m the author of my own movie.
‘I’m the author of my movie’: Anthony Joshua says he knows how to beat Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk beat Joshua in front of a sell-out crowd at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September but the Briton says he learned a lot
Anthony Joshua plays down rumours he has dropped sparring partners ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch
Anthony Joshua played down rumours that he has been dropping sparring partners during his training camp for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua takes on Usyk in Saudi Arabia this Saturday, as he looks to avenge a decision defeat by the unbeaten Ukrainian, who took the Briton’s heavyweight titles in London last September.
Joshua, 32, has been urged to take a more aggressive approach in his rematch with Usyk, 35, but “AJ” was coy when asked about rumours that he has been dropping training partners during his preparations for Saturday’s fight.
“Na, na, I don’t talk about that stuff,” Joshua told Sky Sports. “It’s not good, it’s not good to talk about that stuff.
Anthony Joshua plays down rumours he has been dropping sparring partners
‘AJ’ upheld one of boxing’s unspoken codes when asked about his training for a second fight with Usyk
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