Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk spoke at a press conference in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, previewing their impending rematch as they came face to face for the first time since their initial clash. Usyk dethroned Joshua in London last September by outpointing the Briton to become WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion. “AJ” will look to avenge that defeat and hand Usyk the first loss of the Ukrainian’s professional career when they rematch on 20 August in Jeddah, where their pre-fight press conference took place.
“The fight with Usyk, he bust my a** for some rounds,” Joshua joked. “And I have to take that defeat like a man as well, I have to be accountable. In the fight in September, I was wrong and he was right. Simply I have to reverse that role in August. I don’t like to overcomplicate the situation, because there’s simplicity in genius. I’m just gonna keep things simple.”
The rematch was expected to take place in spring, but Usyk instead returned to his native Ukraine to aid the country’s defence against the ongoing Russian invasion. Addressing his compatriots on Tuesday, Usyk said: “As you all know, we are not in the best conditions at the moment back home. I never made some very loud and bright speeches, all I did was just work hard in my training camp, my gym, that’s what I’m gonna do until the date of the fight. Then I will enter the ring and I will make you happy with my boxing.” Find out what else Joshua and Usyk had to say, below.
