“Someone said to me: ‘You have a chance to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. I said that this is not exactly what you usually want, ”Joshua admitted during the London stage of the press tour in two cities of his August 20 rematch with Usyk. This is not the route that I would advise young people. Want to keep your titles? Protect them and fight for them."
Joshua is in for a unique scenario: for the second time he can regain the heavyweight crown in Saudi Arabia. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion in Dirie defeated Andy Ruiz in December 2019, six months after the Mexican heavyweight knocked out Joshua in the seventh round of their bout in June in New York. In the rematch, Joshua successfully avenged his only loss at the time, overcoming a fattened Ruiz and returning the WBA, IBF and WBO titles to England.
His second reign saw only one successful defense, a ninth-round stoppage victory over Kubrat Pulev in December 2020. This was followed by a mandatory defense of the WBO title against Usyk, who won by unanimous decision last September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Joshua's training camp has seen some changes, including the addition of renowned trainer Robert Garcia to the team. The idea is not so much to reinvent the wheel as it is to go back to what made him an imposing figure during his ascension at heavyweight.
“I definitely want to get the titles back in my hands,” says Joshua. “Too much chatter for me. Less talk, more action. Let me just get in the ring and do my job. I am not a comedian, not one who writes fiery speeches. I definitely want to win. In the end, only what I showed in the ring will matter to the audience."