adminLONDON. – Anthony Joshua has branded himself the “comeback king” before his heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on 20 August.
Joshua came face-to-face with Usyk for the first time since losing his WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles in London in September.
At a media conference, Joshua was full of confidence as he aims to become a three-time world champion. “If you know my story, you know I’m the comeback king,” Joshua, 31, said.
“You can put me down, but it’s difficult to keep me down.”
The press event in Saudi Arabia was heavily saturated with praise for the host country.
Joshua, who praised members of the Saudi royal family in his first answer, had his new head coach by his side, Robert Garcia.
The switch of trainer is one of many changes the Watford-born fighter says he has made for the rematch. “In the fight in September, I was wrong and he [Usyk] was right,” said Joshua who added that he had to “take that defeat like a man as well, I have to be accountable”.
He added: “Definitely the hunger is still there. Blips happen, things happen in life, but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail.” – BBC Sport
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter