Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk resorted to his heritage to prepare for the upcoming Red Sea bout in Jeddah on Saturday, to decide the world heavyweight boxing title once morest British giant Anthony Joshua, who finds his career under the microscope.
Usyk, with the backing of millions of war-ravaged Ukrainians, is the bookmaker’s frontrunner to win in Saudi Arabia following he beat Joshua to be stripped of his world belts as champions of the International Boxing Federation, WBA and WBO in London last year.
Joshua (1.98 m), the heavyweight champion at the 2012 London Olympics, has appointed legendary coach Robert Garcia to oversee him and appears ready to compete in a more aggressive style to avoid a second successive defeat.
Usyk looked the most relaxed before the fight, dressed in a Cossack costume and with a traditional haircut, and enthusiastically sang an old song of resistance on the stage in front of the world media.
If any additional motive was needed, Usyk volunteered as a soldier to confront the Russian invasion before a fight that would be transported free of charge throughout Ukraine under a special deal.
“We learned from each other in the first fight…we had time to study each other. We were born to compete for life, for belts, for everything. Whoever doesn’t compete, doesn’t win,” the 35-year-old said. For me, for my team and for the entire Ukrainian people, it will be a legendary match for sure, especially since we have faced each other before.”
Usek prepared for the fight by cycling 100km in 45C, swam for up to five hours and was able to hold his breath underwater for four minutes and 45 seconds. His manager, Aegis Klemas, said he nearly passed out.
super workouts
Promoter Alexander Krasuk said of Usyek, who was unbeaten in 19 professional bouts, “He’s like a super robot. He’s been through hell in the training camp for the past three months. He made the decision to fight it in these circumstances following receiving huge support from his fellow Ukrainians.” He continued, “He was in contact with senior army officers and visited hospitals to check on injured soldiers. He got support and people wanted him to fight.”
Joshua has kept quiet regarding his tactics, but is expected to try to impose his physical strength on Usek following astounding everyone with his speed and versatility last September.
The 32-year-old boxer also denied speculation that defeat would end his career, but admitted that he might not afford a third loss in his career, as he said in this regard, “It is a battle that must be won. The preparations were difficult, but I love the pressure, I want to compete. I am looking forward to it.” “. He continued, “I am looking forward to Saturday’s historic match to regain the belts. I trained with my team in an excellent manner. We raised the level of training and mental focus. What drives me is my passion to compete and always improve above all else. The belts are the product of success, but it is not the first goal.”
Joshua has tasted revenge before in Saudi Arabia, when he came back from his shock TKO loss to Mexican Andy Royce Jr with a rematch victory in Diriyah in late 2019.
On the sidelines of the expected event, Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Fahd bin Saad, the official spokesman for the “Skill Challenge Entertainment” company that owns the fight rights, said, “The Kingdom is proving day following day its ability to dazzle the world, and is very proud of the growth witnessed by the sport of boxing here, and for hosting international events.” He added, “The Kingdom today has become a destination for international sporting events, including boxing, which is witnessing a significant growth among our male and female youth, with a rate of more than 300%.”
