Joshua vs Usyk press conference LIVE: Latest updates as heavyweights face off ahead of rematch
See what Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk had to say in London ahead of their rematch this August
Anthony Joshua has said he is ‘desperate’ to avenge his loss to Oleksandr Usyk when the pair clash again this August, while the unbeaten Ukrainian has claimed that he is fighting to ‘save’ his ‘soul’.
Usyk outpointed Joshua with ease last September, taking the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles from the Briton in north London. Now the pair are preparing to go head to head again, this time in Saudi Arabia, on 20 August. Speaking at a press conference in London on Wednesday, Joshua said: “Listen, it’s a rough and tough sport, especially fighting these lefties; they’re a nightmare. “But it is what it is, isn’t it? You’ve gotta dig deep, tuck up, and not make the same mistake twice [...] I’m definitely desperate to get my hands on [the titles]. Less talk, more action. Let me get in there and do my job. I’m not a comedian, I’m not someone who writes speeches... I’m definitely hungry, definitely desperate, but at the end of the day, how I perform will speak volumes to the masses.”
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk, meanwhile, said: “I’m not fighting for money or recognition – I don’t need this. I don’t need to become the greatest, I’m just doing my job now and will continue doing it as long as my heart is beating. The only thing I’m on my way to is to save my soul. Everything else is just life [...] I do understand that he’s gonna be different, so will I.”
Re-live updates below.
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Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Oleksandr Usyk fighting to ‘save my soul’ in Anthony Joshua rematch
The unbeaten Ukrainian will defend his heavyweight titles against ‘AJ’ in Saudi Arabia in August, nine months after dethroning the Briton
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
‘Desperate’ Anthony Joshua aware of stakes as he prepares for ‘nightmare’ Usyk
‘AJ’ outlined the difficulty of facing southpaws as he and the unbeaten Usyk spoke at a press conference in London, ahead of their August rematch in Saudi Arabia
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Joshua on whether he is ‘desperate’ to win this fight:
“I’m definitely desperate to get my hands on [the titles]. Less talk, more action. Let me get in there and do my job.
“I’m not a comedian, I’m not someone who writes speeches... I’m definitely hungry, definitely desperate, but at the end of the day, how I perform will speak volumes to the masses.”
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Usyk: “I do understand that he’s gonna be different, so will I.”
Joshua vs Usyk press conference
Usyk: “I’m very happy to have an opportunity to have my fight in a new place in Saudi Arabia, to open some new horizons. I love to travel throughout the world and to have my fights somewhere for the first time.”
Lots of similar sentiments on Saudi Arabia from everyone on stage so far...
“Everything I do in my life, I’m enjoying. I’m not fighting for money or recognition – I don’t need this. I don’t need to become the greatest, I’m just doing my job now and will continue doing it as long as my heart is beating.
“The only thing I’m on my way to is to save my soul. Everything else is just life.”
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