Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 weigh-ins LIVE: Heavyweights hit scales ahead of Saudi Arabia fight

Re-live updates as we found out how Joshua and Usyk’s weights differed from 11 months ago

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in tense face-off ahead of Saudi Arabia fight

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk tipped the scales today, one day out from their seismic heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia. Eleven months on from their first clash, Joshua and Usyk will meet again as the Briton looks to win back the belts that he lost to the unbeaten Ukrainian in London. Jeddah will be the site of their highly-anticipated rematch, which marks a crossroads moment in the career of Joshua.

After the British star, 32, lost his titles in June 2019 with a shocking stoppage defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr, “AJ” regained the gold just six months later with a decision victory over the Mexican-American. That rematch also took place in Saudi Arabia – in Riyadh – and saw Joshua rise to the occasion to avoid back-to-back defeats, but the pressure to do so again is on, ahead of Saturday’s ‘Rage On The Red Sea’. No man has ever beaten Usyk during the 35-year-old’s professional career, and he handily outpointed Joshua last September. When asked whether retirement would be on the cards for Joshua in the case of another loss, the Briton said this week: “It’s up to me at the end of the day, it’s not up to anyone else what I do with my career. It’s more of a personal decision.”

The final event before Saturday’s fight was today’s weigh-ins, with former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk coming in half-a-pound heavier than the 220lbs that he weighed last September – despite beliefs that he had bulked up this time around. In comparison, AJ today hit the scales at 244lbs – four pounds heavier than in his loss to Usyk last year. Re-live updates from the weigh-ins here:

Usyk vs Joshua 2 weigh-ins LIVE

• Joshua and Usyk clash in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
• Usyk dethroned Joshua as unified heavyweight champion last year
• Ukrainian outpointed Briton to take the titles in London
• Joshua weighed 240lbs at the time; ex-cruiserweight champ Usyk was 220lbs
• Joshua is 244lbs for rematch, while Usyk comes in at 220lbs again

[19 August 2022 11:53 · Jack Rathborn]

Usyk vs Joshua 2 weigh-ins LIVE

It’s been a long, arduous journey for Oleksandr Usyk since becoming world heavyweight champion to what promises to be a historic night in Jeddah on Saturday. A mercurial talent, elevating the sport over the last decade by rising through the divisions with a combination of mesmerising angles and majestic footwork, which left Anthony Joshua in a daze at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.

But while Usyk pens another absorbing chapter to the rich history of the heavyweight division, this fascinating talent has shouldered the burden of his status around the world as Ukraine fights for freedom in the war against Russia.

“I’m motivated by the people of Ukraine, who are struggling hard to defend our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture, which other people want to demolish and destroy,” said Usyk.

Full article:

[19 August 2022 11:46 · Alex Pattle]

Usyk vs Joshua 2 weigh-ins LIVE

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk will tip the scales today, one day out from their seismic heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia. Eleven months on from their first clash, Joshua and Usyk will meet again as the Briton looks to win back the belts that he lost to the unbeaten Ukrainian in London. Jeddah will be the site of their highly-anticipated rematch, which marks a crossroads moment in the career of Joshua.

After the British star, 32, lost his titles in June 2019 with a shocking stoppage defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr, “AJ” regained the gold just six months later with a decision victory over the Mexican-American. That rematch also took place in Saudi Arabia – in Riyadh – and saw Joshua rise to the occasion to avoid back-to-back defeats, but the pressure to do so again is on, ahead of Saturday’s ‘Rage On The Red Sea’. No man has ever beaten Usyk during the 35-year-old’s professional career, and he handily outpointed Joshua last September. When asked whether retirement would be on the cards for Joshua in the case of another loss, the Briton said this week: “It’s up to me at the end of the day, it’s not up to anyone else what I do with my career. It’s more of a personal decision.”

The final event before Saturday’s fight will be today’s weigh-ins, with former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk expected to come in heavier than the 221lbs that he weighed last September – compared to AJ’s 240lbs at the time.