Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk went head-to-head on Wednesday at the final press conference before their title rematch this Saturday.
On noticing that Usyk had gotten bigger for the second fight, Joshua warned the Ukrainian that it won’t be enough and would only help him (Usyk) absorb more punishment.
“If you’re a puncher, punchers aren’t made, they’re born,” Joshua told Sky Sports News.
“Bulking up, it’s probably to help you absorb more punishment,” he added. “Lifting weights and all that doesn’t really make you a puncher. But it may help you absorb more punishment.”
Joshua also welcomed the challenge of Usyk’s preparations for the upcoming match.
“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 stated.
Joshua denied any form of mind games, sayine he was focused on the action in the ring.
“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 really my forte. My forte’s boxing and on Saturday that’s where I’ve got to do my studying.
“I don’t really 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 focused on.”
His motivation for this rematch, a fight that will determine the future direction of his career, can’t be doubted.
“I feel like the competitive spirit has risen up,” he said. “This time, I don’t care, I just want to win, whatever it takes.
“So, that might mean exerting more energy, more punch combinations so your mindset changes towards what your goals are. So, this time my goal is just about competing, winning.”
Usyk, on the other hand, said, “I get my motivation from my people, from my country, from my family, from the Lord, from my faith.
“The sun goes up, we get up. The deer is running and the tiger is chasing it. If it wants to live, it has to run away from the tiger. If he wants to live he has to catch it to eat,” Usyk said.
“The one who does not compete, does not live.”
