Former two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has declared that he was relying on his ‘Naija’ power as he looks to conclude preparations to take on Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In an exclusive chat with Channels Sports in London which was monitored by Africa Today News, New York, the British-Nigerian boxer confirmed that the match will be another difficult fight but he is determined to win back the belts he lost sometime last year September to Usyk.
When quizzed if he will be going into the ring with his Naija power, Joshua responded: ‘100 percent. That’s what got me here so I’m not going to get rid of it now. We are going to take it all the way.’
Africa Today News, New York recalls that in September 25th, 2021, Usyk put on an wonderful show in front of 65,000 fans inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, outclassing Joshua over 12 rounds and that made the Ukrainian the new unified heavyweight world champion. He left the stadium with the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles.
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The war between Russia and Ukraine is on Usyk’s mind but he confirmed he is a professional and has a job to do next month.
‘I’m very happy to have my opportunity to have a fight in Saudi Arabia – it opens some new horizons. I love to travel the world. Everything I do in my life, the way I live, the way I fight is enjoyment. I’m not fighting for money or recognition. I don’t want to become a great, I’m just doing my job now and will continue to do so while my heart is beating,‘ the heavyweight champion said.
Joshua now has two losses to his name and on both occasions the Briton was dominated by a smaller opponent. The former champ, has been preparing for the rematch under the guidance of trainer Robert Garcia. He is confident that with the right mentality, his fighter can become a world champion again.
‘We have to do whatever it takes, we have to come out with different strategies in case one doesn’t work. Usyk is a great fighter, he came to my gym a few times to train – he’s a talented fighter. Come fight night we will do what we need to win.’
32-year old Joshua understands he needs the right mentality to go against a tough opponent as Usyk. He says it’s less talk now and more focus.