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Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk
WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Championship
25 September 2021
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Former professional boxer Tony Bellew has warned Anthony Joshua that he will face the toughest opponent of his career in Oleksandr Usyk. ‘AJ’ and ‘The Cat’ will meet for a WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Championship at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday 25 September 2021.
Joshua (24-1, 22 KO) comes into the bout on the back of a ninth-round knockout win over Kubrat Pulev in December of last year, while Usyk (18-0, 13 KO) was last in the ring in October 2020 and defeated Britain’s Derek Chisora via unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
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Bellew, a former cruiserweight world champion, says Usyk (who himself is stepping up from cruiserweight) is a brilliant natural boxer, but may find the going tough in the latter rounds against an experienced heavyweight like Joshua.
“This will be the best boxer Anthony Joshua will ever face in his career,” explained Bellew. “When it comes to natural, pure boxing, Oleksandr Usyk is the most natural boxer Anthony Joshua will ever face. He is unbelievable at what he does. Taking that into consideration, he is not a true heavyweight.”
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Bellew continued: “Everyone keeps going on, yes he is a cruiserweight, but he is the greatest cruiserweight who has ever put on gloves. So he does come with an amazing skillset, but I just think weight divisions exist in boxing for a reason.
“Come rounds seven, eight and nine, he is going to find out why he is not a true heavyweight. I think Anthony Joshua’s speed, power and perseverance will be what catches up with Oleksandr Usyk.
“I wish he would stop fighting my friends because I want to support him! I’m a huge admirer of him and I have so much respect for the boy, but he just keeps fighting my friends so I can’t support him.”
Tale of the tape
Anthony Joshua
Nickname: AJ
Nationality: British
Age: 31
Record: 24-1 (22 KO)
Height: 198cm
Reach: 208cm
Stance: Orthodox
- WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Champion
- 2012 Olympic Games, Gold Medal winner, Super-heavyweight
Oleksandr Usyk
Nickname: The Cat
Nationality: Ukrainian
Age: 34
Record: 18-0 (13 KO)
Height: 191cm
Reach: 198cm
Stance: Southpaw
- 2012 Olympic Games, Gold Medal winner, Heavyweight
- WBO mandatory challenger
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