Boxing heavyweight title rematch: Usyk vs. Joshua on Saturday

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Heavyweight world champion in boxing Oleksandr Usyk will take on Anthony Joshua in Saturday's rematch to defend his title in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

The two rivals had an intense weigh-in and face-off ahead of the fight at the Jeddah Super Dome.

"I always say for me personally face-offs don't mean nothing," Joshua said. "Just about the bell ringing and us throwing leather, face-offs don't win fights."

"I'm just ready for 12 rounds, 100 per cent, anything short of that is a bonus," he added.

Usyk, 35, said he is heavier for this rematch. "I will not tell you much about my strategy. I am a bit heavier than I was last time," Usyk told UK's Sky Sports.

" ... You'll see Saturday night, I'll just do my job, what I have to do," he added.

Usyk, who is 19-0 with 13 knockout victories, beat Joshua by a unanimous decision at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.

With this victory, he clinched three notable heavyweight titles, including the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization, and International Boxing Federation belts.

Joshua, a two-time world champion, has a professional record of 24-2 as he only lost fights against Andy Ruiz and Usyk.

Their rematch got delayed when Usyk joined the Ukrainian army amid the his country's war with Russia.