In a surprising twist of heavyweight camaraderie, unified champion Oleksandr Usyk has opened up about his unique bond with former rival Anthony Joshua and shared his thoughts on a potential mega-fight between "AJ" and Tyson Fury. Usyk, who holds two victories over each man, believes Joshua has the tools to defeat "The Gypsy King" if their long-anticipated clash finally materializes.
The conversation was sparked by Fury's recent return to the ring, where he comfortably defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua was a notable spectator in the front row, though he notably avoided a post-fight face-off, citing that negotiations for the all-British blockbuster are still in their infancy. This comes after a challenging period for Joshua, who was involved in a serious car accident in December that tragically took the lives of two of his teammates.
During his recovery, Joshua sought refuge and training in Usyk's native Ukraine. The two champions, once fierce competitors, have forged a strong friendship. "I looked at how Anthony is training, he’s a machine," Usyk revealed. He emphasized the importance of support, drawing a parallel to his unwavering fandom for his soccer team, Dynamo Kyiv. "Sometimes my team loses, but I don't say: 'You’re bad.' I say: 'Things happen, you must work.'... We must help each other."
When pressed for a prediction on a Joshua-Fury bout, the tactical mastermind Usyk was cautiously optimistic. "I have no idea [about a knockout]. I know he wins, but I don't know how," he stated. As for Fury's latest performance, Usyk offered a technical critique: "Listen, it’s not a good performance for me, but Tyson wins, [so] it’s good." He even admitted to feeling nervous watching, joking that he had to leave for church after six rounds, mentally urging Fury to keep his hands up.
Usyk's insights highlight the deep respect and complex psychology at the pinnacle of the sport. While he believes Joshua is on the path to being ready, he noted, "we need a little bit of time," acknowledging the physical and mental hurdles "AJ" has had to overcome. As the boxing world waits for the next super-fight to be made, the unity and mutual support between these elite athletes provide a compelling subplot to the ongoing saga of the heavyweight division.