Anthony Joshua puts on 4lbs for Oleksandr Usyk rematch as Ukrainian remains lean
After speculation that Oleksandr Usyk would come in significantly heavier for Saturday’s rematch against Anthony Joshua, the Ukrainian came in just half-a-pound above last year’s weight.
The Ukrainian mastermind, who claimed a stunning unanimous decision victory over the Briton last September, clocked in at 221.5lbs ahead of his fourth outing in the heavyweight division.
Joshua, who is looking to regain the IBF, WBA and WBO belts that were ripped away from him in Tottenham last year, weighed-in at 244.5lbs.
Anthony Joshua (right) and Oleksandr Usyk (left) both weighed-in on Friday afternoon
Usyk negated a 1st 5lbs weight disadvantage in the pair’s first encounter, keeping a hapless Joshua at bay with his relentless movement and evident speed advantage.
The Ukrainian has acknowledged Joshua will present a different challenge this time but has stuck to the same weight that brought him so much success last time out.
Usyk clocked in at 215lbs for his first fight at heavyweight against Chazz Witherspoon in 2019, before rising to 217lbs for his tough encounter against Derek Chisora the following year.
With nearly an additional year to prepare, Usyk is now a fully-fledged heavyweight, and his fans may be relieved to see the slick southpaw has not piled on the weight.
Usyk proved to quick and too slick for Joshua as he claimed a one-sided points win last year
The unified heavyweight champion insists he’s fighting not only for pride but for Ukraine
Having parted ways with long-term coach Rob McCracken to join forces with a knockout-hungry Robert Garcia, Joshua is expected to impose his physicality this time after being totally outboxed last September.
The Briton has admitted he got his tactics entirely wrong in their first encounter, insisting he wants to ‘smash’ his heavyweight counterpart in the rematch.
Joshua’s weight has been a topic of conversation in recent years, having often been crticised for being too muscle-bound, most notably against Carlos Takam in 2017 where he clocked in a career-heaviest 18st 2lbs.
The 32-year-old, who weighed just 16st 13lbs for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 came in at 17st 2lbs last September, and 244.5bs on Friday.
He is looking to become just the fifth three-time heavyweight champion in history.
The newly-vacant Ring Magazine belt will also be on the line, with Tyson Fury once again announcing his retirement.
The Gypsy King still holds the WBC belt, however, and is expected to fight the winner in an iconic undisputed showdown.
