The build-up so far to Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua 2 has been respectful but the former champion believes he doesn’t have the Ukrainian’s respect.
Two press conferences in Jeddah and London have come and gone with all eyes looking ahead to their rematch in Saudi Arabia on August 20. Joshua has now spent enough time in the ring with Usyk and in both build ups to get a gauge on the man and his character.
Speaking to October Red Boxing at the recent UK presser he said this about Usyk:
“He’s focused on the job at hand that’s for sure and I also feel like he’s chilled as well.”
“What you see from all of this environment he has to put on a tough face but he’s a cool guy.”
“He’s known as a joker, at the press conference in Tottenham [last year] he came in the Joker outfit.”
“When you strip back all this press conference stuff, he’s probably a chilled guy but also, I know he don’t respect me. And I know he wants to beat me as well.”
AJ has already spoke about how he has to be smarter in the ring this time as he and new trainer Robert Garcia look to inflict the first defeat in Usyk’s nine-year career. Winning his titles back will make Joshua a three-time heavyweight champion, a monumental feat, but victory doesn’t just benefit him as he explained.
“I feel when I’m here and I stay here there’s so much I can do for others. So, it’s not just about me.”
“A lot of my success I know there’s a lot of people that benefit off the back of it as well. So, I think that the longer I can be at the top the better it is for everyone involved.”