Unified heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) answered questions ahead of the rematch with Briton Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs)
Parimatch UK.
The duel Usyk vs Joshua 2 will take place on August 20 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and the first fight took place in September in London (England) – the Ukrainian won by decision of the judges, he was close to an early victory.
Usyk recalled that very episode in the final round: “It is quite possible that if that 12th round had lasted 30 seconds longer, then Joshua would have lost by knockout. But to be honest, I don’t think about it. And what’s the point in speculating about what might have been? Everything happened the way it happened. We went 12 rounds and I won.”
On the eve of the first fight, bookmakers considered Joshua to be the favorite. In their opinion, now a boxer from Ukraine has more chances to win. But he definitely will not allow the opponent to be underestimated: “Joshua is a powerful man, a strong boxer. Under no circumstances should this be written off. The rematch will be different. He will prepare differently, I will prepare differently.”
Fans and boxing experts are dreaming that the winner of Usyk vs Joshua 2 will fight WBC champion British Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) to determine the absolute in this weight. He, however, previously announced his retirement, but Usyk is not worried about this: “I think that when our rematch with Joshua takes place, Fury will not be able to refuse the chance to unite all the belts in his hands. God willing, this will happen.”
The Ukrainian was also asked about the call from the ex-leader P4P rating Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs), who was ready to fight Usyk in the cruiserweight limit. Champion’s response: “In order to fight Canelo, I would have to lose 12 kg. Such a freak fight. I think I first need to solve all the cases in the heavyweight, and then it will be possible to talk about such a duel. But I understand that the fight with Canelo is very financially large in terms of its potential, so I will not rule out that sooner or later it will still take place.
Yesterday, Usyk’s former rival and sparring Joshua spoke out about their rematch. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian destroys the bag in the hall. Is there a video. The other day, Joshua admitted why he refused to work with coach Canelo.
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