Former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk says his bout against British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua, on September 25, might not exceed the first round.
The Ukrainian boxer who has been in the WBO spotlight after stepping up a division downplayed his opponent’s powerful physique ahead of the bout on Saturday.
“We’ll probably find out in the first round which will prevail: power or skill,” Usyk was quoted by Sky Sport to have said.
Usyk’s physique has continued to be the centre of discussion after he stepped up a division. However, he said questions about his size are not an issue to worry about.
Usyk will go head-on against Joshua, who currently holds World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles.
Peoples Gazette reported in July that Joshua would fight against Usyk to defend his titles.
The bout will take place on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
“The date is set, and we are fully locked in,” Joshua said, adding that he was putting everything on the line again and would “defend my crown. We are two Olympic gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges.”
Usyk, 35, and an Olympic medalist like Joshua, has won all 18 of his professional contests.
The fight will come in place of the earlier bout against Tyson Fury initially scheduled to hold in August.
The unification bout planned for Saudi Arabia got cancelled after a ruling by a United States arbitrator that Fury must defend his title against Deontay Wilder.
A victory for Joshua on Saturday could see him fight against Fury in the near future.
