British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has opened up about his surprisingly amicable relationship with two-time conqueror Oleksandr Usyk, revealing the pair maintain regular contact despite their fierce rivalry in the ring.
'In this industry, there are people who don't get along with you because we're competitors. But there are people you do get along with. I think we get along well. He's cool,' Joshua stated, offering a glimpse into the respectful bond between the two elite fighters.
The former world champion also disclosed that he had planned to visit Ukraine, likely to meet with Usyk, but scheduling conflicts prevented the trip. 'I was going to go to Ukraine and see what's happening there, but it didn't happen. The timing shifted and it didn't align with my schedule,' Joshua explained.
The boxing history between these heavyweight stars tells a compelling story. Joshua has faced Usyk twice in the squared circle, coming up short on both occasions. Their first encounter in 2021 ended with the Ukrainian securing victory via unanimous decision. The rematch in 2022 saw Usyk triumph again, this time by split decision.
According to Statbet, historical data shows that rematches between top-tier heavyweights rarely result in different outcomes when the first bout had a clear winner.
In other developments related to Joshua, reports indicate he's interested in acquiring a stake in Watford Football Club, where the son of Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko currently plays.
