Anthony Joshua insists he is “definitely hungry, definitely desperate” to regain the world heavyweight title as the dethroned champion sets his sights on knocking out Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua suffered a shock defeat against Usyk last September as the Ukrainian took the WBA, IBF and WBO titles from the British star after a unanimous decision victory.
Joshua has a chance to avenge that painful loss when he faces Usyk again on August 20 in Jeddah, with boxing pundits claiming he must use his physical superiority to disrupt his opponent's rhythm this time.
Having linked up with new trainer Robert Garcia, Joshua hinted that is the game-plan as he allayed concerns he might have lost his appetite for the sport.
“What happened then is in the past, I don't really live in the past, I'm just present,” he told reporters in London on Wednesday.
“I'll be looking to be competing round-by-round and if I follow my As, Bs and Cs, it should lead me to KO.
“Someone said to me 'you've got a chance to become three-time heavyweight champion of the world'. I said 'it's not where you want to be, I wouldn't advise anyone young to go down that route'.
“You want to stay there and keep it, so I'm definitely desperate to get my hands on it. But there's too much talking. Less talk, more action. I'm not a comedian, I'm not someone who likes big speeches.
“Let me get in there and do my job, that's my priority. I'm definitely hungry, definitely desperate but how I perform will speak volumes to the masses.
“Every fight’s different. Until you’re in front of someone, no matter how many videos you’ve watched, stare downs you’ve had or press conferences you’ve done, it’s just completely different in the ring.
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Oleksandr Usyk after beating Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Getty -
Anthony Joshua walks away from the ring after losing to Oleksandr Usyk. AP -
Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine celebrates after his unanimous decision victory over Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP -
Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP -
Anthony Joshua on the defensive against Oleksandr Usyk. AP -
Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch at Anthony Joshua. AP -
Anthony Joshua before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk. AP -
Close up of Anthony Joshua's injuries during a press conference after defeat in the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO title fight agianst Oleksandr Usyk. AP -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after the fight. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after being crowned the new heavyweight world champion. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his team in the ring. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates. Getty -
Anthony Joshua following his defeat. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk punches as Anthony Joshua ducks. Getty Images -
Oleksandr Usyk throws a punch as Anthony Joshua. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua during their title bout. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty -
Anthony Joshua after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Reuters -
Anthony Joshua lands a punch. Getty -
Anthony Joshua goes on the attack. Getty Images -
Oleksandr Usyk punches Anthony Joshua. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty -
A dejected Anthony Joshua walks back to his corner. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the fight. Getty
“Twelve rounds is good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s going to be completely different when that bell rings if I’m honest. You can’t take too much away from it, you’ve just got to be in the moment.”
While this will be Joshua's second fight in Saudi Arabia, it will be a first in the country for Usyk, who has won all 19 of his professional contests and wore a blue and yellow T-shirt with the message ‘Colours of Freedom’ in homage to his native Ukraine in the midst of Russia’s invasion of the country.
Usyk suggested money was not the driving factor in his decision to fight in Saudi Arabia.
“It opens some new horizons,” he said. “I'm not fighting for money or the recognition, many people want the recognition so others remember them. But I don't need to become the great.
“I'm just doing my job now and I will continue doing it while my heart is beating. The only thing I'm on my way to is to save my soul. Everything else that is happening to me is just life.”
