Anthony Joshua faces tough title defence against Usyk

British boxer’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has cautioned Anthony Joshua that he would be facing a tough title defence when he stakes his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk in London on Saturday.

It was noted that Anthony Joshua, 31, has height and reach advantages and will almost certainly be heavier at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hearn, however, was of the view that Joshua is nervous before the fight.

“This is probably AJ’s toughest-ever fight and I think he’s going to prove to the world how good he is.

“He’s ready for this fight but it’s the ultimate challenge with someone that’s very strong mentally.

“Mentally, it will be draining (for Joshua) because he’s going to have to think a lot, there will be a lot of feints from both men and reactions are going to be key.

“I just can’t wait to watch it unfold. It’s a real, real high-end heavyweight fight. (Usyk is) going to be a tough, tough nut to crack. AJ’s got to break him down, beat him up and hopefully take him out,” Hearn was cited to have said.

Usyk, 34, a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, won heavyweight gold at the London 2012 Olympics while Joshua triumphed in the super-heavyweight division.

However, Hearn expressed impression over Joshua’s confidence in the build-up to the fight, expected to draw a crowd of more than 60,000.

According to Hearn, “I’ve never seen him so assured about a fight, which is ironic because technically this is his toughest fight.

“He knows how tough this fight is, he wants to prove to the world that he’s the best heavyweight in the world.”

Joshua was revealed on Tuesday to have signed a “career-long” promotional deal with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing organisation.

Joshua’s career has been overseen by Hearn since he turned professional eight years ago and although the Usyk fight was understood to be the last on the existing contract, the two parties have come to a new arrangement.

“We’ve never had one argument, we’ve never had one dispute, in eight brilliant years.

“So if it’s not broke then don’t fix it and we’re very proud that he’s extended his contract with us for the rest of his career,” Hearn had said.