Boxing: Stage set for Joshua,Usyk heavyweight bout
Boxing buffs across the world have shifted their attention to Saturday night heavyweight fight between Nigerian-born British pugilist, Anthony Joshua, and Oleksandr Usyk.
According to The Sun, Joshua will weigh over a stone more than Usyk on the boxing night.
The Watford 31-year-old hit the scales at the same 17st 2lbs (240lbs) he battered Kubrat Pulev at in December.
And Usyk, 34, reached his career highest of 15th 8lbs (221lbs) leaving 19lbs between them.
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Sensational-looking AJ roared: “Wow, I just got given the microphone. Thanks for coming out, I was here Wednesday sparring, won a world title here (the O2).
“I don’t take this position for granted I commit myself to hours and hours in the gym and we will deliver.”
AJ was a perfect 17st 2bs when he expertly bullied and knocked out Pulev with speed and power.
That was a brilliant return to his brutal best after the December 2019 rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr was a cautious points win scored at 16st 13lbs
The British ace looked like a bodybuilding hulk at 17st 9lbs when Ruiz Jr stunned him in their original June 2019 clash.
But, in his defence, he had been preparing to fight 22st Jarrell Miller who was booted out of the bout for being riddled with steroids, letting the chunky Mexican slip in at the last minute and shake up the world.
AJ has his training team have confirmed he felt too heavy for the iconic April 2017 win over Wladimir Klitschko and the laborious Carlos Takam stoppage six months later – when he was 17st 12lbs and 18st 2lbs respectively.
The London 2012 legend’s lowest professional weight came in his third fight when he was just 16st 5lbs for the 2012 win over Hrvoje Kisicek.
Usyk, 34, was the undisputed cruiserweight king down at 14st 4lbs and he sneaked up in weight in his first two heavyweight clashes.
Last time out in October, when he outpointed Derek Chisora, he made it up to 15st 7lbs and said he was disappointed not to hit 16st.