Ouotes from today’s launch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 press conference in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of their rematch in the coastal city on Saturday, August 20.
Oleksandr Usyk: “We are doing what we have to do to achieve our goals. I have never made any loud or bright speeches. To become World Champion all I did was work hard in my training camp and gym. That’s what I am going to do until the day of the fight and my boxing will make me happy.”
Anthony Joshua: “Blips happen. Things happen in life but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail. We’re still on the road, we’re still on the road to Undisputed for sure. It’s just a little blip in the road but I’m focused on the target which is sitting over there (points to Usyk).
“I’m focused on the goal, god willing I’ll perform, and I’ll become three-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. With Andy Ruiz I think a lot of people can see before the fight things weren’t 100%. You’ve got to be strong, thick skinned; we take our loss like a man. When I win, I keep it moving and I thank everybody. When you lose, you have to stay humble as well in defeat. We kept it moving and I knew I could come back again and do what I have to do.
“The fight with Usyk, he bust my ass for some rounds. I have to take that defeat like a man as well. I hold myself accountable. I’m someone who can admit when I’m wrong and hold my head high when I’m right. The fight in September, he was right, and I was wrong. Simply, I have to reverse that role on August 20th. I don’t like to overcomplicate the situation because there’s simplicity in genius. Sometimes if you keep things simple you can achieve great things, so I’m just going to keep things simple, move forward and the date will soon come.”
If Joshua taste defeat again, I am afraid his boxing career could be in peril. Usyk is not predictable and can come improved, that could be a problem
yes blips do happen, first Ruiz and then Usyk. Ruiz was more of a fluke and the strategy used in that rematch will not work here. Simply can’t outbox Usyk, only chance is the KO
Usyk will repeat history with Joshua. Usyk is not Ruiz and will stay focused for this matchup. Joshua riding the confidence train only to brag himself up since Garcia is in the mix as a trainer.
Right but Usyk has a hell of a beard and is a hell of a counter puncher, if AJ presses the action i can see him ko’ed.
This fight isn’t gonna happen, all. Just watch and see.
It’s a good thing they’re not golfers.
Yeah they would be canceled right now with all the flack from dealing with Saudi Arabia.
Okay, whoa! Joshua is on a person Perceval!
AJ, who cares never liked his pampered a$$. When he’s pressed he quits. He’s the big guy no one ever bothered as he was growing up, in his mind that meant he was tough, not so, hit him in the mouth and he is looking for help from anyone and everyone
Right, an Olympic Gold medalist and Heavy weight champion was nothing more than a big bully until he finally got punched in the mouth.
The mistake here was for Joshua to compare the loss to Ruiz to the loss to Usyk.
Maybe… but what’s he gonna compare his second loss to Usyk with?
Well said, and I believe it more helps him have the confidence he will win in a rematch just like he did after his 1st loss. And we know 90% of this game is half mental.
This will be a great fight! Both men focused so everything will be shown on Aug20…split decision to the Ukrainian
Mental toughness ?! He was 10 seconds away to quit in the Klitschko fight, was scared after Ruiz landed the first good shot and didn’t press while behind in the fight against Usyk for the same fear of being ko’ed..
Usyk by KO 11th rd.
Usyk just needs to weather the storm again for the first couple of rounds and then take the the fight to the later rounds again to win.
If Anthony Joshua loses his career over.
AJ to ko the Ukrainian inside 6 rounds to avoid a split decision