Anthony Joshua On Oleksandr Usyk Showdown: “I Respect Him, I Love The Challenge Of This Guy”

By: Hans Themistode

The exhausting half is sort of over.

After spending the previous a number of months getting ready each his thoughts and physique for his upcoming title protection in opposition to Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua can’t assist however get excited. The British native will tackle his WBO necessary challenger this coming Saturday, September twenty fifth, on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UK.

Whereas each have been pretty cordial of each other, in previous Joshua fights, that merely hasn’t been within the case. Main as much as his most up-to-date showdown in opposition to Kubrat Pulev, the 2 almost got here to blows nicely earlier than the night time of their precise struggle. Whatever the unified titlist having his cage rattled, he remained poised sufficient to report the stoppage victory.

As Usyk seems to be happy-go-lucky, repeatedly sending Joshua messages asking him how he’s doing, the 31-year-old titlist can’t assist however be amused by his antics and effervescent perspective.

“I’ve seen mad individuals and he isn’t a mad individual,” stated Joshua throughout an interview with MailOnline Sport. “He’s enjoyable. There’s a variety of respect there.”

Extra than simply his character, Usyk has seemingly gained the respect of Joshua by his exhausting work within the ring. As an beginner, each Joshua and Usyk graced the gold medal stage collectively on the 2012 Olympic Video games. Joshua would go on to beat out everybody within the tremendous heavyweight division earlier than strolling away with gold, whereas Usyk would do the identical one-weight division decrease at heavyweight.

From there, Joshua has continued to be impressed with the accomplishments of the 34-year-old Ukrainian. In solely his tenth professional struggle, Usyk captured his first world title. 5 fights later, he would end up his cruiserweight campaign having wrapped each world title round his waist.

Now, with the extremely expert pound-for-pound star shifting up in weight and snagging two victories in opposition to Chazz Witherspoon and Dereck Chisora, he now has his eyes set on changing into a world champion as soon as once more.

Contemplating every thing Usyk has completed, Joshua has an excessive quantity of admiration for him. In reality, Joshua goes so far as to say that Usyk is lower from a legendary material.

“I respect him as a result of he’s an excellent fighter. That’s why we’re assembly on the prime. Expertise-wise I like the problem of this man. He comes from a lineage of nice champions just like the Klitschko’s, Vasyl Lomachenko.”