Summary

  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk face each other at calm and respectful news conference

  • 'If I was fighting King Kong, I'd give it a go,' says Joshua on his love of a challenge

  • Joshua's WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles on the line at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday

  • Usyk, a former cruiserweight world champion, unbeaten in 18 pro fights

  • Commentary of Joshua v Usyk on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday, with live text commentary from 20:00 BST

  1. Thanks and goodbyepublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    That's all for today. On Saturday our live page will begin at 20:00 BST with commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live at 22:00 BST.

    Hope you can join us all then. Can't wait.

  2. Postpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    A reminder, we're set to go at 22:00 BST on Saturday night. Make sure you don't miss it.

    Joshua and UsykImage source, Getty Images
  3. Intensepublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    And here is that rather intense staredown between the two.

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  4. Postpublished at 14:40 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    The two have gone face-to-face, but there's no bad antics, no shoving. A respectful hand shake between them.

    It's such a good fight, no fake bad blood is needed for this one. Both treating each other with the respect they've both earned.

    Joshua and UsykImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'I'm not an easy fight for anyone'published at 14:37 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Joshua: "I work hard to make sure boxing is really respected and I pay them back by putting in a lot of work in the gym.

    "I'm not an easy fight for anyone, I like fighting. God has blessed me, shown me the path to get into boxing. I'm here, blessed, happy and don't take it for granted.

    "This is my passion. I appreciate you guys [the media and fans]."

  6. 'If I was fighting King Kong, I'd give it a go'published at 14:34 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    More from Joshua: "I wasn't on the amateur scene long enough to know much about Oleksandr but when I turned professional I did a lot of research and I love the Ukrainian style and the Ukrainian people.

    "He was fighting 10 or 12 years as an amateur before he went to the Olympics, and worlds so he is probably happy to be in this position - the cream always rises to the top.

    "I love throwback fighters. I do watch a lot of boxing and I don't fight good people just to get respect.

    "If you tell me I was fighting King Kong I would give it a go. This is my job. I'm going to work. It's the best days of my life."

  7. 'Looking forward to performing"published at 14:31 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    On to Anthony Joshua. He says: "Happy to be back again, you have to want to train and put the work in and improve and practice. When I started boxing it was fun, I'm still getting better and I like the challenges.

    "This fight gives me the motivation to practice. I want to give more and more each day. I'm still in camp now, this is just another day in camp. On Monday or Tuesday I'll be back in the gym and I'm looking forward to performing."

  8. 'Another step in history'published at 14:29 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Now it's Oleksandr Usyk's time to talk. And, through a translator, he says: "I can do a lot more.

    "I feel fine and I look forward to this. I want to thank the team and Eddie Hearn and I'm grateful this is happening on Saturday.

    "Every fight makes history and I think me and Anthony will make another step in history, something that people will be talking about, remember and will be watching on television."

  9. Postpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Here's that suit again...

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  10. 'Anthony will fight anyone who is available'published at 14:25 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Rob McCracken, Joshua's trainer, says: "This is as good as it gets in heavyweight boxing. It's a fight that should happen.

    "Anthony will fight anyone who is available, it's an absolutely brilliant fight for the world of boxing.

    "Anthony is in great spirits."

  11. Postpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Don't think Tyson Fury will agree with Krassyuk's statements there.

  12. 'AJ's biggest challenge'published at 14:21 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    "AJ you have the heart of a warrior. This is his biggest challenge in boxing," says Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk.

    "Every ambitious fighter is chasing for glory and there's only one way to get that - to fight the best fighter and AJ is the best. He is the best in the division."

  13. Hello!published at 14:20 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

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  14. Postpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    "By far the best resume in heavyweight boxing," says Hearn of Joshua's recent fights.

  15. Postpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    We're expecting 67,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, it will be the biggest crowd Joshua has fought in front of since he defeated Alexander Povetkin at Wembley three years ago.

  16. 'A night we will never forget'published at 14:15 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Eddie Hearn's not one to undersell a fight.

    "It's the fight of the year. We're in for a night we will never forget," he says in standard under-stated fashion.

  17. Postpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    And here we go. Anthony Joshua to the right of promoter Eddie Hearn, Oleksandr Usyk, in that red suit, to the left of him.

  18. Postpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    ...and Usyk has gone for the red suit, orange waistcoast, spotted orange tie today.

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  19. Postpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk

    Usyk turned up on Monday in London wearing a shocking turquoise tracksuit...

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  20. In with the belt. Out with the belt?published at 14:09 British Summer Time 23 September 2021

    Lawrence Okolie v Dilan Prasovic

    Lawrence Okolie has the WBO cruiserweight world title belt over his shoulder on Thursday, but will he still have it come Thursday night?

    Someone in the crowd at the news conference doesn't think so.

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