Countdown to ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ was officially conducted after yesterday press conference launch in Jeddah.
WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Anthony Joshua took center stage to tell the world about their August 20 rematch at Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia.
The media tour will also take both men to London before they can focus back on training for their pivotal fight in boxing’s glam division.
Usyk, who will defend the first title he won from Joshua last September, said:
“I am very happy to be in Saudi Arabia. It was very pleasant for me and my group. We are doing what we have to do to achieve our goals”
“I have never made any loud or bright speeches. To become a World Champion, all I did was work hard in my training camp and gym. That’s what I’m going to do until fight day and boxing will make me happy.”
Usyk promoter Alexander Krassyuk doubts the war will continue due to the current war in Ukraine. The situation becomes tense for Team Usyk when the champion chose to return to his homeland and participate in the fight against Russian aggression.
“Perhaps in February and March we have faced the test of war in our country. Krassyuk said. “But in the end, we put ourselves together, we decided to join the war, and now we are here representing our country Ukraine with pride in our hearts. we. We are representing the country here in the new destination of world sports in Saudi Arabia. Let the groomsmen win. We will see you again for the Undisputed fight. ”
If Joshua pulls off the biggest win of his glittering career then an undisputed battle blockbuster against Tyson Fury will be demanded by the public. The England star has endured some bumps along the way but says they are still on track for the biggest bout in boxing.
“The riot happened.”
“In life things happen, but resilience, mental toughness, and consistency will always prevail. We’re still on our way, we’re definitely still on our way to the Undisputed. It’s just a small blip on the road but I’m focused on the target sitting over there (only to Usyk). ”
Joshua received the second defeat of his career and continued to change his team by hiring Robert Garcia as his new coach. Between the two of them they believe that the results at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which ended his second championship term as unified champion, could be reversed.
“The fight with Usyk, he squeezed my ass a few rounds.”
“I also have to accept defeat as a man. I am responsible for myself. I’m someone who can admit when I’m wrong and hold my head up when I’m right. The war in September, he was right, and I was wrong. Simply, I have to reverse that role on 8/20.”
Garcia who was officially seated next to Joshua for the first time as his new coach said:
“I see another Anthony now; the way he thinks and the way he talks. ”
“Everything he’s working out and everything he’s doing in the gym; I think he fought the wrong way but that’s the past.”
“I think for sure we will have a three-time world heavyweight champion. We have to be prepared for everything. Usyk is a great fighter, he has skill, reflexes, precision – he has it all. I think Anthony has the tools to beat him.”
“I want my first Heavyweight World Champion, I already have 14 world champions, he will be my 15th, but he will be my first heavyweight world champion. me and that was huge for me too.”
