It took place in London. The Ukrainian and the Briton exchanged statements about the upcoming fight, after which they had a traditional duel of views.

Usyk stressed that he enters the ring not for the sake of money, recognition or the desire to go down in history. Alexander noted that boxing and life moments just make him happy.

" I am also very happy that I have the opportunity to box in a new place for me - Saudi Arabia. It opens up new horizons. I like to travel around the world and box somewhere for the first time, somewhere for the second time.. Everything I do - boxing and living - gives me great pleasure.

I don't box for money or any recognition.. I don't want to be great. Many want some kind of recognition, to be talked about, to be remembered. I don't need any of this. I'm just doing it now and I'll keep doing it as long as my heart keeps beating. The only thing I'm heading towards is the salvation of my soul. And everything that happens to me is just life.

I do not expect anything from anyone, because it is a big stupidity to expect something from people. I understand that Joshua will be different - I will be different too,"

In turn, Joshua again spoke about the desire to return the championship titles. He said that the boxing style of the opponent gives him difficulties, because the Ukrainian is left-handed.

" But after the fight, how I perform will say a lot to everyone.. Yes, I'm desperate for the titles. Just let me get to the ring and do my job.

Boxing is a tough and tough sport, especially if you have to fight lefties. They are terrible. But that's the way it is, isn't it? You need to dig deeper, pull yourself up and not repeat the same mistake twice,” Joshua said..

Usyk vs Joshua will take place on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.. On the eve of the official announcement of revenge between the Ukrainian and the British.

Recall that on the night of September 26, 2021, Usyk defeated Joshua in London. by unanimous decision - 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113, and won the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO heavyweight titles. After that, the Briton activated the option of revenge, prescribed in the contract for the first fight..

So in the rematch, all the titles that the Ukrainian took away from the Brit last year will be at stake..

The 35-year-old Usyk has 19 wins (13 by knockout) in 19 fights. He spent three of them in the heavyweight division.. Before that, Alexander became the absolute world champion in the cruiserweight (weight category up to 90.7 kg), having won all four of the most prestigious belts there..

32-year-old Joshua has 24 wins (22 by KO) and two losses.. For the first time, AJ lost in June 2019 to Andy Ruiz, but in December of the same year he defeated the Mexican in a rematch and regained his titles.