Days Before His Heavyweight Fight vs Usyk, Anthony Joshua Reacts to Comments About His Skinny Physique

Days Before His Heavyweight Fight vs Usyk, Anthony Joshua Reacts to Comments About His Skinny Physique

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM
  • Anthony Joshua is billed to take on Oleksandr Usyk over the weekend in a WBA, WBO title-defence showdown
  • The British-Nigerian boxer has delivered a sarcastic response when asked about his new slimmed-down physique
  • According to AJ, he is as solid as a rock as he does not really focus on his weight while preparing for a massive fight

Anthony Joshua has responded to comments querying his new skinny physique as he prepares to take on Oleksandr Usyk in a WBA, WBO title defence this weekend, Independent reports.

The British-Nigerian boxer maintained that he remains as ‘solid as a rock’ after he slimmed down just for the crucial fight.

The world heavyweight champion first trimmed down his weight as well as his fighting strategy back in 2019 after suffering his first professional defeat to Andy Ruiz.

Days Before His Heavyweight Fight vs Usyk, Anthony Joshua Reacts to Comments About His Skinny Physique
Anthony Joshua set for Oleksandr Usyk showdown. Photo: Andrew Couldridge
Source: Getty Images

Reports claim AJ will likely maintain his box-and-move strategy against Usyk when he defends his WBA, WBO, having prepared to show up in lean shape.

Asked about his shape, Joshua sarcastically replied via Linda Ikeji's Blog:

“I'm going to come in light. Run around the ring, try not to get hit. I'll be on my bike all night. I don't want to get out of 140 heartbeats per minute, so I'm really skinny.'
“Listen, I'm as solid as a rock. I'm strong, I'm good at the weight. I don't really focus on my weight. It's just training. I just put in the work.
“These are different opponents and I've learnt about training for specific opponents. These guys go longer rounds.
“When you're knocking out guys in three or four rounds, it's different. I studied boxing and what works for me and weight is not a priority.”

Joshua speaks on fight with Tyson Fury which has been called off

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has vowed to 'smoke' countryman Tyson Fury when they eventually square up in the rings.

Both fighters were billed to face off in a much-anticipated unification bout this summer but it has been called off with the Gypsy King ordered to honour his trilogy agreement with Deontay Wilder.

Joshua insisted that he has done all he could to make sure a fight between them happen contrary to claims by Fury that the Olympic gold medal winner is ducking their fight.

Oscar De La Hoya wants fight with Floyd Mayweather

American professional boxer and promoter Oscar De La Hoya has called for a fight between himself and Floyd Mayweather making a huge offer according to TMZ.

The 48-year-old wants the fight to go down before the end of the year as he says he is ready to take on one of the greatest boxers of all-time.

The report claims Oscar De la Hoya made the statement as he headed out of the Rossoblu in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Holly Sonders.

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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