Usyek beat Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur last September, to take the Ukrainian boxer titles of the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Organization, the International Boxing Federation and the International Boxing Organization.
The 32-year-old British boxer will get the chance to make up for it in Jeddah.
“What a choppy journey, I will be fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship for the 12th time in a row,” Joshua said in a statement.
He added, “I won the belt, and after uniting the titles, I won another belt, then lost the titles, and became the two-time winner of the unified title for the World Heavyweight Championship, and now I am on a date with history to win for the third time the unified title for the World Heavyweight Championship. What an opportunity.”
He continued, “There are advantages and disadvantages to two consecutive fights of this level in the world championship, but I decide every day to become stronger, learn from my experiences and develop. A happy boxer is a dangerous boxer, and I am the happiest and most motivated ever.”
Usyk, who has won 19 fights, including 13 by knockout, and has not suffered any loss, said that his task is to retain his current titles.
“With God’s help, I will complete the task,” said the 35-year-old boxer, whose preparations for the fight have been affected by the war in Ukraine.
After the war in Ukraine, Usyk returned to his country to join its defense battalion, raising doubts about the rematch against Joshua.
“This is history being written. It is a great honor to be a part of this event. Our country is now fighting for its legacy. Our mission is to expand this legacy. With God’s help, we will achieve it,” USIC promoter Alexander Krasuk said.
But Usek may face a difficult task in front of Joshua, who won 24 times, including 22 by knockout, for two losses.
#Saudi #Arabia #hosts #Giant #Meet #Usek #Joshua