Anthony Joshua ranks ‘tough’ and undefeated Oleksandr Usyk as his second-hardest opponent ahead of Tottenham tussle
ANTHONY JOSHUA reckons Oleksandr Usyk will provide him with the second toughest test of his professional career.
The Watford warrior will defend his unified heavyweight titles against the undefeated Ukrainian a week on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Slick southpaw Uysk, 34, has bamboozled all of his opponents with his footwork, with none of his 18 professional foes able to solve his unique puzzle.
Joshua is all too aware of the skills possessed by The Cat, telling the BBC: “On paper, he sits number two, behind Wladimir Klitschko.
“They’re very different technically, but on paper he’s an Olympic gold medallist, he reigned for over 10 years, he’s number one.
“But Usyk is number two because of his success at cruiserweight and then his success so far at heavyweight.”
“One of his strengths is that he’s getting in the ring with me.
“I’ve got to give him credit for that, it’s going to be tough.”
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Joshua, 31, has put a special emphasis on ring work in his latest camp in preparation for the fleet-footed and elusive Usyk.
He added: “He’s a southpaw, he’s been fighting orthodoxes his whole life, we fight southpaws once in a blue moon.
“I’m doing a lot of ring work, certain fighters do a lot of road works, pads, bags, shadow boxing.
“But with a southpaw, it’s all to do with positioning and we’re doing ring work, a lot of southpaws are counterpunchers.”
AJ is relishing his upcoming clash with his fellow Olympic gold medallist, saying: “The date is set and we are fully locked in.
“September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown.
“We are two Olympic gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges.
“The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue.
“The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”
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