Usyk outclassed Joshua in her first fight last September, beating the British boxer by unanimous decision and claiming Joshua’s WBA (super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.
Joshua’s camp activated the contractually agreed rematch clause shortly after, meaning the pair will once again take center stage in heavyweight boxing’s latest flagship event.
Despite being arguably the biggest name in boxing, Joshua’s career has been riddled with shock results.
Saturday’s rematch will be the 12th straight world title fight for the 32-year-old. In the process, he has beaten numerous top boxers – Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin, just to name a few.
But among those big — often stunning — victories are some surprising defeats. First, he was stunned by Andy Ruiz Jr. in New York in 2019 after being knocked down multiple times before the referee waved the fight off and ended his spell as unified heavyweight champion – beating Ruiz months later in Saudi Arabia to win that back Title.
And in his first fight with Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur, the 2012 Olympic champion was thoroughly outbid by the Ukrainian from start to finish as Usyk conquered the English capital as unified heavyweight champion and with his reputation as one of the best boxers around left cemented.
However, Joshua said ahead of Saturday’s rematch that even if he loses, it won’t be the end of his time in the ring.
“This is also my 12th straight world title fight. I’ve been in world title fights 12 times in a row. It happens – when you fight world-level people, you meet world-level quality people. I don’t fight people who are below average.”
“But aside from all that learning, it’s ultimately a struggle. That’s it. Whoever throws the most punches and lands the most punches wins.”
fight for more
When Usyk steps into the ring on Saturday, his inspiration will be more than just a title belt and money.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the 35-year-old traveled back to his homeland, took up arms and joined a territorial defense battalion in Kyiv, where he spent weeks helping with the war effort.
However, in March, Usyk received permission to return to training in preparation for the Joshua fight, although he expressed reluctance.
“They asked me to go, fight, fight for the country, fight for your pride, and if you go there you will help our country even more.
“I know a lot of my close people, friends, close friends, are on the front lines right now and fighting. What I’m doing right now I’m just supporting them, and with this fight I wanted to bring them some kind of joy between what they’re doing.”
And now, months later, a muscular Usyk looks in excellent shape and high spirits – bursting into a Ukrainian independence song in traditional Cossack garb after a pre-fight press conference.
On the eve of the fight, Usyk said it drives him to compete at the highest level and gives him hope and inspiration at home.
sportswear
Saturday’s fight card was hailed as it will host Saudi Arabia’s first-ever professional women’s boxing match when Crystal Garcia Nova takes on Ramla Ali.
In a country where women’s rights are severely restricted, this is considered a milestone for women’s sport there.
Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sportswear in recent years to divert attention from the country’s dismal human rights record.
Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, has been named in a US intelligence report as responsible for authorizing the operation that led to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, although he has denied involvement. Human rights groups have also criticized the country for carrying out mass executions and the treatment of gay people.
He added: “The world is in a bad place, I can’t just point to one place. If you want to point out Saudi, let’s all point it out. We all have to do better, and that’s where my heart is. “The whole world has to do better if it’s going to change.”