Years after sharing the ring in two of the biggest heavyweight title fights of the era, Oleksandr Usyk says Anthony Joshua is no longer just a former opponent — he is now like family.
In an interview with the Daily Mail Boxing YouTube channel, the 39-year-old Ukrainian champion said his bond with Joshua has evolved far beyond competition. Usyk, who remains undefeated and in control of the WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles, described the British former champion as a “big brother.”
“Now AJ is my big brother. Not a rival, not an opponent. He is my brother,” Usyk said. “Anthony is a champion. He does not have the belts right now, but that does not matter. A champion is a person who never gives up. I know that Anthony is a very kind, hardworking and smart person. Right now AJ is mentally very strong. We talk every day and train twice a day — in the morning and in the evening.”
The comments mark a striking turn in one of boxing’s most high-profile recent rivalries. Usyk beat Joshua in back-to-back heavyweight title fights, but the respect between the two has clearly only grown since then.
Joshua last fought at the end of last year, when he knocked out boxing-showman Jake Paul.