Former heavyweight champion (over 90,7 kg) Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) and current WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO titleholder Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) fought twice in 2021 and 2022, with the Ukrainian winning both matches by decision.
Since then, the Briton has won four fights, the highlight being a resounding victory in March over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (0-2) in the second round. Recently, Usyk was asked if Joshua has improved since their last meeting.
"I don't know because Anthony has boxed with Ngannou, Wallin. They are good boxers, but not top-level boxers. Anthony is a great person, he's a great boxer, an Olympic champion, but I don't know if he has gotten better. His last fight was excellent because Anthony is an Olympic champion, and Francis Ngannou had his second boxing match.
People, wake up, an Olympic champion and a guy with two boxing matches. These are different guys, and people are thrilled. Tyson Fury was supposed to do the same. But I don't know why Tyson Fury made it a show. Anthony got in the ring and did a good job," Usyk said.
Oleksandr Usyk's next fight will be against WBC champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) on May 18th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the first undisputed heavyweight world championship title since 1999 will be at stake.
Joshua officially has no opponent yet. Preliminary information suggests that Anthony might meet one of the winners from the Deontay Wilder – Zhang Zhilei or Filip Hrgovic – Daniel Dubois pairs.