The Ukrainian star defeated Joshua by unanimous decision to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles last September and they will renew their rivalry in their return fight on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Speaking to the media at training, Joshua insisted he had learned from his second professional loss as he returns to the scene of his rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Oleksandr Usyk is prepared for the power and skill of Anthony Joshua, says Alexander Krassyuk’s promoter But Usyk Krassyuk’s promoter told Sky Sports: “He will do everything possible, everything he has, his muscles, his skills, his mentality, his spirit, he will put everything in the ring, but the Usyk is ready. “It’s no secret about him, he’ll do whatever his corner tells him, he’ll just play his game smart, fast, footwork, tactical, that’s Usyk and that’s why we love him. “He’s coming in as a recovering, defending champion, and his goal is not just to win this fight, but to become a man of history. He wants to be the undisputed two-division champion, he wants to be the first man in heavyweight boxing to collect and four belts including the WBO. “That’s what he wants, that’s what he cares about, he doesn’t care about money, fame, he’s doing it for his country with the war unfortunately going on there. “He wants the people in Ukraine to support him and they want him to win because Ukraine needs wins. “Whatever happens on Saturday night, he will bring glory to his home country.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Oleksandr Usyk was reluctant to give details about his weight Usyk claimed an Olympic gold medal in London 2012, the same Games when Joshua was crowned heavyweight champion, and the 35-year-old insists he has studied his British rival ever since. “I’m very happy that I’m going to compete very soon and I’m happy about it,” Usyk said. “I’ve been following him for 10 years now.” When asked if it was difficult to focus on the fight considering the ongoing war in his country, he said: “But I did.” Joshua gave a glimpse of his power, pounding the pads during his training routine and happily admitted he wanted a devastating revenge win. “Previous experience is helpful but it’s about what you do on the night,” Joshua told Sky Sports. “I don’t know how much it will help me, but I’m focused and I’m ready to get the job done. “I feel like one of my main strengths is that I’m a quick learner, I’m a sponge, but ultimately, apart from all the learning and stuff, it’s a struggle. That’s all. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Anthony Joshua has given a doomsday prediction ahead of this weekend’s rematch “Whoever throws the most punches and the most punches wins and that’s all that matters, right? “I’m going to do my best, I’m just doing my best and that’s all I can do. “Let’s get knocked out.”
Hearn: I really think Joshua wins this fight
Promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted he is urging Joshua to lay a punishing attack on Usyk from the opening bell. “Look, I’m biased and I’ve been misled at times, but I’m a huge AJ fan and I just see a guy putting a lot of pressure on himself and a guy who wants it so bad,” Hearn said. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Watch Anthony Joshua’s full public workout ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. “I see a guy who punches hard and he’s going to be nervous and he’s going to put himself in there at night. “I just feel like he’s going to do everything right and let those hands go and if he lets them go, I really think he’s going to win this fight. “I’ve told him this and I’ve said it again, by the time the bell rings at the end of the sixth round, I want this fight over or I want Oleksandr Usyk physically in a place he’d like to never return. “If you let this man get into his rhythm, you have no chance of winning this fight and that’s what happened in the first race. “The sixth round has passed and Usyk is getting better and better, he understands you and before you know it, you see him back in the locker room. “Get in there, get in between it, make it count, make him pay. “We come into this fight as underdogs, AJ has nothing. “AJ’s a smart guy, he’s a smart guy, he’s got to figure out how to win the fight and he’s doing it now.” Listen to the latest Toe2Toe podcast from the heart of Usyk vs. Joshua fight week Anthony Joshua’s massive heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk is on Saturday 20 August, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk vs Joshua 2 now!
