Joshua vs Usyk: I'd give it a go against King Kong, says Briton
Heavyweight titles will be at stake when Anthony Joshua comes up against Oleksandr Usyk at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of his fight against Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua praised his opponent and said his love of boxing means he'd "give it a go" against King Kong.
The IBF, WBA and WBO belts will be on the line when the heavyweight champion faces the Ukrainian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Usyk came to Thursday's pre-fight media event dressed like The Joker, but the formalities were very professional as the pair faced off and shook hands in a respectful, if intense, manner.
Joshua on Usyk: "I love throwback fighters"
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk, 34, might be facing a height and weight disadvantage, but Joshua has plenty of admiration for a fighter he is excited to come up against.
"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 said.
"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.
"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."
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Usyk says he and Joshua "will make another step in history"
Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk described Joshua as "the best in the division" with "the heart of a warrior", although he warned the Briton he was facing the toughest fight of his career.
"I can do a lot more," Usyk said through an interpreter. "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."