Home Boxing News Anthony Joshua looking to make a statement against Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua looking to make a statement against Oleksandr Usyk

WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is planning to deliver a statement performance when he takes on former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk 18-0 (13) at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in Tottenham, England on September 25.

The 31-year-old Brit was expected to face WBC counterpart Tyson Fury 30-0-1 (21) in the summer before an independent arbitrator ruled Fury owed former victim Deontay Wilder 42-1-1 (41) a third fight.

That left Joshua with little choice but to face his WBO mandatory, the tricky Ukrainian southpaw Usyk.

“When I step into that ring, no matter how much of a nice guy I am, it’s about winning,” Joshua said to Sky Sports.

“It’s about defining performances and training in the right fashion so I look good, which adds stock to my value.

“When you fight good opponents people respect it. They have to give you credit.

“This is about being a throwback fighter and taking on all challenges.

“It’s about statement performances.”

Usyk will present a unique set of problems for Joshua with his left-handed stance and clever ability to work angles.

“Understanding angles, where you are when you finish punching, where shots are coming from. Everything is in reverse with a southpaw,” Joshua continued.

“That’s the technical element, then you have the spiritual element. I am a fighting person. I pray and meditate and visualise. I train my mind. That will get me a long way, as well.

“Mix of the technical ability and the God-given talent? Even though I’m fighting a southpaw I should be able to find ways and see gaps to exploit each of my opponents.”

Joshua won the IBF belt against then-undefeated Charles Martin 28-2-1 (25) by second-round knockout in London five years ago. He would go on to unify with WBA champion Wladimir Klitschko 64-5 (53) by 11th round knockout again in London in April 2017. The following year he relieved Joseph Parker 29-2 (21) of his WBO strap by unanimous decision in Cardiff, Wales.

The only blemish on Joshua’s ledger was a shock seventh-round knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr 34-2 (22) at Madison Square Garden in New York in June 2019. He revered the result in their immediate rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia, winning a wide points decision.

Usyk is a worthy challenger. After collecting all four major belts in the 200-pound weight class and winning the World Boxing Super Series, he moved up to heavyweight two years ago in search of bigger challenges. His two fights to date in the open weight class have resulted in a seventh-round stoppage win over late replacement Chazz Witherspoon in Chicago in October 2019 and a close 12-round points win over perennial contender Dereck Chisora 32-11 (23) in London last October.

“I rate all my opponents. He’s good. It’s all about the final bell and whose hand is raised. He’s good but I’m better,” Joshua said.

“He is a great challenger for the heavyweight titles.

“I’m looking to do a good job, to handle business, because I have my eyes set on other things.”