Oleksandr Usyk briefly displayed their formidable s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s in front of the cameras with three days left until their heavyweight title bout this weekend.
Home favourite Joshua will set out to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO belts against his mandatory challenger at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of a full house.
And both fighters enjoyed their moment in the spotlight during their latest workout, with Joshua in a bullish mood and Usyk emerging before bizarrely showing off his juggling ability.
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk faced the cameras for their media workouts this evening
Home favourite Joshua stepped out, saluted the spectators and set about showcasing his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s
The media workout handed the two star names the chance to shadow-box for a couple of minutes, but neither gave away any secrets in their bid to triumph.
Usyk was the first to step into the ring, and after doing so he demonstrated his ability to juggle, having jokingly thrown three small balls around in the air.
Finally about to step back into a mouth-watering scrap, Joshua took on a more serious air, and saluted for the cameras and spectators ahead of his turn.
He threw in a few lethal-looking combinations during his workout, while once again his leaner shape ahead of the showdown was also apparent.
Usyk emerged for his turn, shadow-boxed and then silkily juggled three balls around in the air
The mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO title will look to silence the crowd in London
Stepping away to speak to Sky Sports, Joshua claimed that beating Usyk would be ‘just the beginning’ – with a unification bout with Tyson Fury looming on the horizon.
The world champion also spoke about his frame, revealing he has largely been focusing on the ‘old-school’ punching bags during his preparation.
‘Why do people think I look so streamline?’ he said. ‘I have not been hitting the mitts as much as usual, no pads, just the heavy bag, old-school style like Rocky Marciano.
‘I am mentally and physically conditioned so I should be able to handle the pressure.
Joshua claims that beating Usyk in their heavyweight showdown would be ‘just the beginning’
‘(Tony) Bellew was at a different stage of his career than I am, when he took the fight (vs Usyk), so what it means to me is different.
‘I am going to do everything to reverse what happened to Bellew because I feel like I have nothing if I don’t win this.
‘It would not be the end of the road but I see getting a win here just the beginning.’
Usyk, meanwhile, has waved away claims that size will matter for the clash, and also refused to liken Joshua to Derek Chisora.
He said: ‘It was a very long and hard camp. But it was most lovely for me.
Speaking to the media after his brief session, Joshua also opened up on his slimmer frame
Usyk said he is not bothered by size differences and insists ‘it will all come together’ in the fight
‘They are completely different fighters (Chisora and AJ), you cannot compare them.
‘Can he do something different instead of boxing with me? He can do whatever he wants, I will do whatever I want to do.
‘Everyone talks about who is bigger or smaller but none of that bothers me.
‘Everything in my life is good, I am happy and boxing is my way of life so Saturday it will all come together.’
