Relaxed Anthony Joshua eyes early stoppage in bid to reclaim world titles

Anthony Joshua has mischievously forecasted a first-round knockout of Oleksandr Usyk when he attempts to reclaim his position as unified heavyweight champion in Jeddah on Saturday.

Joshua has spent the last four weeks in Saudi Arabia finalising preparations for ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ and on Monday he began media duties in a chaotic function room at the Shangri-La hotel.

Looking to win back the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he lost to Usyk when they first clashed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium almost a year ago, the 2012 Olympic champion looked relaxed as he painted the picture of an early-stoppage win.

“It’s good to be back in Saudi Arabia. We’ve been here four weeks now, this is our fifth week. It feels like a second home, it’s been nice,” Joshua said.

“May the best man win at the end of the day. I’m praying for victory and praying for a good fight as well. I want to do it this time.

“I’m going to come out…ding ding ding round one. Good defence, thinking positive, step forward…boom boom…one-two…Usyk drops…Joshua becomes three-time champion of the world in Saudi Arabia. Life is good!”

When asked if the rematch was the biggest fight of his career, Joshua said: “Yes, most definitely. I’ve felt that pressure in my camp, 100 per cent. It has pushed me on.”

Usyk, meanwhile, enters the showdown at King Abdullah Sports City armed with a message of goodwill from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraine continues to battle Russia’s invading armies.

Usyk insists that, while he is determined to lift spirits at home by ruling out the need for a trilogy fight, he feels as much pressure from a boxing public who have grown accustomed to success.

“He (Zelenskyy) supports me and I will talk to him soon. In every fight I am fighting for my people.