Boxing: Joshua, Usyk Face Off Ahead of Heavyweight Fight
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at the heaviest of his career on Friday ahead of his heavyweight world title boxing clash against IBF, WBA and WBO champion Anthony Joshua.
Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion who has only had two heavyweight bouts, tipped the scales at 15st 11lbs, while Joshua weighed in at 17st 2lbs.
Joshua had been expected to come in at his lowest weight to help counter the speed of Usyk.
“I don’t really watch my weight. I don’t know why there is a big thing about weight. Maybe because we are heavyweights so people look at us at our heaviest,” Joshua said in an interview.
“As long as you are loose, nimble. Loose and heavy, relaxed shots. I should be good. I was heavier and doing it so now that I’m lighter I should be able to do it with more ease.”
The undefeated Usyk weighed four pounds more than in his last fight against Britain’s Derek Chisora.
Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated clash takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur soccer stadium in north London with a crowd of around 60,000 expected.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
