By Gabriel Princewill-
Olegsander Usyk has told Anthony Joshua that he will be extra motivated for his rematch with the Londoner after he captured the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts.
Usyk, 35, who took up arms in Ukraine to defend his country following Russia’s invasion of Iraq is getting ready to defend his belt and establish himself as the new face in the heavyweight division this summer, on a date yet to be fixed.
A former cruiserweight champion and olympic gold medalist, the unbeaten Ukranian took all the belts formerly held by Anthony Joshua, after outclassing the bigger and stronger man for 12 rounds, in which he also nearly stopped him in the final round. It was the second time Joshua’s titles had been snatched from him.
The first time was after the bashing Joshua was subjected to from American born Mexican., Andy Ruiz Jnr, in losing his title in seven brutal rounds in their first championship contest in Newyork in June 2018. Joshua avenged that defeat six months later in Saudi Arabia
Following that notable victory, Usyk’s stock rose phenomenally at Joshua’s expense. Both casual and avid boxing fans were united in the view that Joshua should have performed better in a fight of that significance, and disposed of the inflated cruiserweight, notwithstanding Usyk being an outstanding talent.
The former undisputed world heavyweight champion, who had been poised to meet Tyson Fury for a very lucrative unification bout, was tentative for the duration of the crucial title contest, allowing Usyk to dominate the fight.
Following a wide pool of criticism, Joshua is no doubt now cognizant of the need to be more bullish and venemous in his attack, if he is to emphatically regain his title.
A repeat of the dominant performance by Usyk against Joshua will see the Londoner’s stock completely crash, and Usyk’s rise further. At championship level, boxing is ultimately about legacy, and the latter in many respects about longevity. If Usyk brings the mantle underlying his impeccable professional record to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division and sustains it, he will undoubtedly have a big claim to being one the most remarkable heavyweights of his division, having come from a lower division.
Beating a determined Joshua a second time could be challenging for the Ukranian whose mind has been immersed in the war for many months, but he insists the war will only increase his motivation.
Usyk outboxed Anthony Joshua last September in London for an entire 12 rounds
‘Maybe some of those who watch this show will think that I am crazy but even mates and colleagues sometimes call me Mr Frost because I am able to distract from certain things.‘ Of course, what’s going on currently in Ukraine will motivate me a lot in the gym, in training sessions and of course during the fight. Because for me it’s another way to make people happier, those who are at home right now.’
On the situation in his homeland, he explained: ‘The fight is continuing but I’m keeping posted on my friends and I’m regularly updated by them, I receive all the news from them.
‘I made this decision to return to training sessions as my friends and my colleagues from authorities – some of them are public figures – they asked me to return and to get back training.
‘This way I can help my country way more than just staying [in Ukraine] or joining the territorial defence battalion, so this way I’m helping my country too.’
The long delay it has taking to fixed a rematch date could be detrimental to Joshua, who nearly had an opportunity to have a warm up fight against Joe Joyce, before clashing with Usyk again.
A contest against the less experienced but tough Joyce may have primed Joshua up better for his comeback fight, but he will now have to continue to prepare to display the necessary level of grit and determination to negate Usyk’s game plan and win in style.