Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has shared warm sentiments about his Ukrainian rival Oleksandr Usyk, revealing their surprisingly amicable relationship despite their fierce in-ring battles.
In a recent interview with Boxing King Media's YouTube channel, the British boxer disclosed that he maintains friendly communication with Usyk through their respective teams. Joshua even had plans to visit Ukraine, though the trip never materialized due to conflicting schedules.
"We exchange messages through our teams. I was planning to go to Ukraine to see what's happening there. But it didn't happen – his team changed the dates and they didn't match my schedule," Joshua explained. "You know, in this profession there are people you don't get along with if you have a rivalry. And then there's the opposite. I think we get along well. He's cool."
This cordial relationship stands in contrast to many boxing rivalries, especially considering their competitive history. The two heavyweight stars have faced each other twice in the ring, with Usyk emerging victorious both times – first by unanimous decision in September 2021, and then by split decision eleven months later.
According to boxing analysts at Statbet, the technical matchup between Joshua and Usyk represented one of the highest-level heavyweight contests in recent years, with both fighters demonstrating exceptional skill and sportsmanship.
Recently, Usyk expressed support for a potential bout between Joshua and fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs), adding another interesting dimension to the heavyweight division's complex relationships.
Beyond boxing, Usyk has been vocal about Russia's aggression against Ukraine, comparing Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler and warning about the potential global consequences if Western countries fail to stop Russia's actions against his homeland.
