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Joshua vs Usyk press conference LIVE: Latest updates as heavyweights face off ahead of rematch

Find out what Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk had to say in Saudi Arabia, where their rematch will take place in August

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Tuesday 21 June 2022 21:17 BST
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FILE: Usyk rematch with Joshua set for August 20 in Saudi Arabia

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.

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

Hearn: “It’s great to be back and see so many friends and familiar faces – 2019 seems like an eternity ago.

“The [Saudi] vision really enticed us to be here the first time around, for Joshua-Ruiz 2.

“Now we’re back for a bigger fight, I think this is really important to inspire the next generation of boxing.

“It’s amazing to bring major sporting events to the Kingdom.”

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:55

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

We’re hearing a lot from key Saudi figures about how this fight can help to grow the sport in the region.

Now, we’ll hear from Hearn...

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:53

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

Odds have been released for Usyk vs Joshua 2. At the time of writing, Betfair has it:

Usyk – 4/9; Joshua – 7/4; Draw – 6/1.

Also worth noting is that Usyk is 17/10 to knock out Joshua, while the fight is 8/11 not to go the distance.

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:51

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

Joshua and Usyk are not yet on stage, though “AJ”’s promoter Eddie Hearn is joined up there by some relevant Saudi figures involved in organising the fight.

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:45

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

And we’re finally getting under way!

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:41

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

While we wait...

Tony Bellew has outlined what Anthony Joshua must do in order to beat Oleksandr Usyk – something that both Britons have failed to do.

Bellew was stopped by Usyk in the eighth round in 2018, with the Ukrainian becoming the only undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era with that result. Joshua, meanwhile, was outpointed by Usyk in September to lose the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles, which he will look to regain in a rematch this August.

“So many questions surround this fight, and once the first bell goes in just over two months’ time, we’ll start to get some answers,” Bellew wrote in a column for DAZN, the streaming platform with whom Joshua signed a deal last week.

More here:

Tony Bellew explains what Anthony Joshua must do to beat Oleksandr Usyk

Bellew retired in 2018 after a stoppage loss to the unbeaten Ukrainian in their cruiserweight title fight

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:41

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

The press conference will begin any moment now...

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:30

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

We’re about 10 minutes away from the press conference beginning...

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:21

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:20

Usyk vs Joshua 2 press conference

Alex Pattle21 June 2022 15:15

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