Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk and former two-time champ Anthony Joshua both exuded confidence at Friday’s weigh-in ahead of their rematch on Saturday.
Ukraine’s Usyk and UK’s Joshua meet again for the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight belts Usyk snatched from Joshua via unanimous decision last September in England. This time, the battle will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
At Friday’s weigh-in, Joshua, 32, 24-2 (22 KOs) weighed 244.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds heavier than their first encounter. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk, 35, 19-0 (13 KOs), weighed 221.5 pounds after weighing 221.25 against Joshua last September.
Both defied expectations, with rumours suggesting Joshua would be lighter than last time and Usyk significantly heavier. While it was a career high for Usyk, it is less than a pound more than their first fight.
For their first meeting in London last September, Joshua scaled 240 pounds, while Uysk was 19 pounds lighter.
“Your expectations are not met every time,” Usyk told Sky Sports’ Andy Scott when asked about his weight.
The pair stared at each other for nearly two minutes as they stood face-to-face before sharing a handshake.
“For me face-offs don’t mean anything, face-offs don’t win fights,” Joshua said. “All this stuff doesn’t matter I am just looking forward to the fight. I’m 100 per cent ready for 12 rounds and anything less is a bonus.”
Check out Friday’s weigh-in here:
