Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua met for the second and final time today before they cross paths in Saudi Arabia in August.
The two heavyweights were in London for the next leg of the press conference tour which began in the Middle East to promote their August 20 rematch.
A win for Joshua will make him a three-time heavyweight champion but the Brit advised up and coming fighters to avoid such a difficult path and to hold on to titles and not let them go.
Joshua said keeping things simple things should result in victory in Jeddah:
“I’m the same Ol’ G”
“Dig deep, tuck up, not make same mistake twice”
“If I follow my ABC’s it should lead to the KO”
Promoter Eddie Hearn was the man in the middle to put the questions to both men. The Matchroom Chairman asked Joshua if he was desperate to win and if in fact that was an appropriate word, AJ responded:
“Desperate to get my hands on it.”
“Too much talking for me. Less talk more action.”
“Definitely hungry – definitely desperate – at the end of the day how I perform will speak volumes to the masses.”
Usyk, who will be making the first defence of the three titles he won from Joshua last September, was speaking through his translator and promoter Alex Krassyuk. The champion was asked if he was expecting a different Joshua, who is now trained by Robert Garcia, from the one he defeated nine months ago.
“I’m not expecting anything from anyone because I think it’s stupid to expect anything from other people.”
“I do understand that he will be different.”
“So will I.”
Usyk also said that this was not about money or recognition and instead offered a more philosophical reason for fighting.
“I will continue doing this as long as my heart is beating.”
“The only thing I am on my way to is to save my soul.”
“But everything else happening to me is just life.”
The pair took part in a lengthy face-off with neither man willing to give ground by turning to face the cameras despite Hearn’s requests.
Interestingly, however, Usyk appeared to draw an imaginary sword and hold it aloft as all the media got their snaps. The Ukrainian smiled and walked away allowing everyone to no doubt come up with their own interpretation of what he did.
If you missed it, you can watch the full press conference replay on Boxing Social.