Anthony Joshua says he is not concerned by Oleksandr Usyk’s obvious increase in weight ahead of their heavyweight clash tomorrow.
For the first time, Joshua went head-to-head with Usyk at the final press conference before their significant rematch.
Now the challenger, Joshua saw that Usyk, the IBF, WBO, and WBA heavyweight champion, has bulked up for this second fight. But Joshua advised the Ukrainian that it won’t be enough.
“If you’re a puncher, punchers aren’t made, they’re born,” he told Sky Sports News.
“Bulking up, it’s probably to help you absorb more punishment,” he continued. “Lifting weights and all that doesn’t make you a puncher. But it may help you consume more punishment.
“I can’t speak on what his game plan is or why he’s done it. They know why. I want it to work for him because I want a good fight. I want to put on a good show,” he claimed.
Usyk brought an element of misconduct to the press conference at the Shangri La hotel in Jeddah. He made Joshua wait for his arrival, scribbled notes as the other participants spoke, and made sure he had the final word.
Meanwhile, former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield has obliged Joshua to contain his emotions if he’s to emerge victorious
But Joshua renounced there was any element of mind games. “No, not at all,” he said. “It is what it is. If you are into body language and psychology then you can read into it. But that’s not my specialty. My specialty’s boxing and on Saturday that’s where I’ve got to do my studying.
“I don’t take too much from a press conference, it is what it is. You say what you want to say and you do your best on Saturday night. That’s what I’m concentrated on.”
Source: Sky Sports