Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk LIVE: Weigh in LATEST as AJ comes in above a STONE heavier than Usyk – latest updates

RING WALKS

With the first bell scheduled to ring at EXACTLY 10.12pm tonight, the fighter's are expected to emerge at around 10pm.

Joshua's WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles are up for grabs in front of a sold-out 60,000 crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And if the fight goes the distance then expect the action to finish at around 11pm tonight.

AJ PREVIEWS

Anthony Joshua has promised he will try to knock Oleksandr Usyk out tonight, but is also prepared to go the distance with the Ukrainian.

AJ said: "The work I’ve done in the ring, I haven’t done much pad work but a lot of heavy bag work and sparring – which has helped condition me for the fight because it’s going to be a fight of conditioning.

"We all know he’s a great twelve-round fighter at cruiserweight, I’m a knockout puncher as well so I’m going to be looking for the knockout but also box my way to twelve rounds if it needs to go that far.

"For this fight [Usyk] I’ve done that already, you have to go in there to box but I’m a boxer, fighter. I’m going in there to fight as well; I’m going in there for the knockout.

"When you go in there for knockout it’s good because you box anyway, I’m going to box looking for great opportunities to land big power shots as well.

"Different ballgame, different fighter, different tactics, but ultimately as a fighter you have to go in there looking for the knockouts. I’m going to be a boxer fighter in this fight."

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Tonight’s bout is only the second time in history that Olympic Gold medallists from the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions have met in the pro ranks.

Usyk won gold in the heavyweight division at London 2012, while AJ also scooped gold at his home games competing at super-heavyweight.

The only ever time it has happened before was Ray Mercer’s fight against Lennox Lewis in 1996.

Mercer had won heavyweight gold at Seoul 1988, with Lewis taking home super-heavyweight gold at the same games.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Anthony Joshua will weigh over a stone more than Oleksandr Usyk when the first bell rings tonight.

The Watford 31-year-old hit the scales at the same 17st 2lbs (240lbs) he battered Kubrat Pulev at in December during yesterday's weigh in.

And Usyk, 34, reached his career highest of 15st 8lbs (221lbs) leaving 19lbs between them.

TALE OF THE TAPE

And here's a full breakdown of the two fighter's ahead of tonight's mouthwatering clash.

🥊 Joshua vs Usyk: All the TV, stream and undercard info ahead of Saturday's heavyweight bout

AJ’S ADVANTAGES

Anthony Joshua has the edge on Oleksandr Usyk when it comes to height, reach and weight.

That’s a given though, with Usyk having moved up from the cruiserweight division.

Nevertheless here’s a look at the advantages AJ holds over the challenger:

• Height – three-inches
• Reach – four-inches
• Weight-19lbs

'USE HIS MAIN ATTRIBUTES'

And McCracken has urged AJ to stick to what he's good at in order to come out on top this evening.

The trainer said: "He has got to use his main attributes, which are a really good jab, good reach, good right hand, good balance, side to side movement and he has to use his physicality up close too.

"Josh is very good on the inside, he is effective at close range as well as long range. He has to stay in that rhythm and do what he does. 

"He has already achieved a lot in the sport, he has beaten numerous world class operators.

"He has to show his experience. He has got good experience at the top level and he has to dictate."

ROUTE TO VICTORY

Anthony Joshua's trainer Rob McCracken has revealed just what AJ needs to do to overcome what many people are labelling the toughest assignment of his career so far.

McCracken has suggested the fight is all about control, saying: "Usyk is smaller, he’s quicker, he’s a southpaw so if you leave something out there, he is going to counter you.

"He's very good with his counter, you have to set everything up. You got to control the space you’re in all the time. Whatever space he is – whether it is this big or that big – you have to control it.

"Josh has got good feet for heavyweight and he is mobile. With that reach, the way he sets things up, he’s formidable."

HARD TRAINER

And Allen went on to reveal just how hard Usyk trains for his fights.

He sparred with the Ukrainian last year ahead of his bout against Derek Chisora, and recently told Sky Sports: "But one thing he does do that all champions do, he works really hard – exceptionally hard.

"We would spar, and he would carry on for at least an hour, maybe two hours, afterwards.

"Doing maths equations, hitting the bag, shadow boxing, juggling, all sorts of mad things. It was a real experience."

ECCENTRIC USYK

Former British heavyweight boxer Dave Allen has revealed the insight on what Oleksandr Usyk is like away from the cameras.

Having sparred with Usyk, Allen got to see everything the Ukrainian got up to while they were in the gym together.

And Allen told Sky Sports: "First of all he’s a gentlemen, cos the second thing I’m gonna say is he trains in his underpants. He’s eccentric, he’s different, but he’s such a nice fella.

"He runs round the gym in his underpants, I think they were Christmas underpants, with like his protector on and his vest.

"He would spar and then he would do maths equations while hitting the bag. I was a little bit confused, I was trying to take it all in."

BRITISH BEEF

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must emerge unscathed in their upcoming fights if they wish to finally set up a domestic dust-up.

The pair came close to agreeing terms over an undisputed heavyweight title showdown for August 14 in Saudi Arabia, only for the blockbuster bout to fall through.

Should they both win, then a mouthwatering double-header between Fury and Joshua could happen in 2022.

But it all depends on the next fight, as if Joshua loses to Usyk, he would invoke a rematch clause to battle the unbeaten Ukrainian again.

This would then push back a bout against Fury to at least six months, while the Gypsy King could fight Wilder for a fourth time should he suffer an unexpected defeat.

And if just one of Fury and Joshua loses, then it is unlikely the other will wait around for the outcome of the rematch and will look to target others instead.

ALARM BELLS

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk's first bell is expected to ring at precisely 10.12pm TONIGHT.

Sky Sports Box Office will be broadcasting the event, which will cost fans £24.95.

And for fans outside the UK wishing to watch the fight, DAZN is the place to go.

FULL UNDERCARD

And here's a reminder of who is on the full undercard before the main event gets underway.

• Lawrence Okolie v Dilan Prasovic - WBO Cruiserweight Title
• Callum Smith v Lenin Castillo - Light-Heavyweight
• Campbell Hatton v Izan Dura - Super-Featherweight
• Florian Marku v Maxim Prodan - Welterweight
• Christopher Ousley v Khasan Baysangurov - Middleweight

AJ UNDERCARD

Lawrence Okolie and Campbell Hatton's clashes are two of the most eagerly anticipated fights on the AJ vs Usyk undercard.

Hatton fights for just the fourth time, taking on Sonni Martinez in a super featherweight bout.

Okolie's fight meanwhile precedes the main event.

The Hackney-born fighter defends his WBO cruiserweight title against Montenegro's Dilan Prasovic.

NOT INTIMIDATED

And despite AJ admitting he is some way behind Fury in terms of boxing experience, he is adamant he is not 'intimidated' by the WBC king.

AJ continued: "Let’s talk about him as a boxer. I don’t find him intimidating.

"And I haven’t seen him do anything in the ring where I think, ‘This guy is going to be a massive threat’.

"He’s talented, and he’s awkward, and that’s often enough to get you quite far in life.”

LISTEN ERA

Anthony Joshua says he shouldn't be mentioned as being in the same era as rival Tyson Fury.

In an interview with GQ, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champ Joshua said: "Being world champion, with all those knockouts, you do feel kind of unstoppable.

"But realistically, in boxing terms, I'm way ahead of where I should be. I'm working at such a quick pace.

"I shouldn't even be in a position where I'm mentioned in Tyson Fury's era.

"He's five or six years ahead of me in terms of turning professional.

"In fact, when he was turning pro, I was just putting on my gloves for the first time."

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Tonight's bout is only the second time in history that Olympic Gold medallists from the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions have met in the pro ranks.

Usyk won gold in the heavyweight division at London 2012, while AJ also scooped gold at his home games competing at super-heavyweight.

The only ever time it has happened before was Ray Mercer's fight against Lennox Lewis in 1996.

Mercer had won heavyweight gold at Seoul 1988, with Lewis taking home super-heavyweight gold at the same games.

CRUISERWEIGHT SUCCESS

Oleksandr Usyk is fighting for the third time tonight since making the step up to heavyweight from cruiserweight.

And did you know the Ukrainian is only the eighth former cruiserweight to challenge for one of the major heavyweight belts.

Only Evander Holyfield and David Haye were successful in the division, meaning Usyk is against the odds when that first bell rings.

TWO GREATS

The entire build-up to this fight has been nothing but respectful.

But tonight there will be no more time for niceties, these two men are going to war.

LEKS GOOD

Oleksandry Usyk looks to have piled on the muscle as he prepares for his world title fight against Anthony Joshua.

Some critics claim the Ukrainian will be 'too small' to become a world champion up at heavyweight.

But judging from his training photos, Usyk should hold no fear on his big night under the Tottenham Stadium lights.

The challenger weighed in at a career high 15st 8lbs (221lbs), but that's still a whopping 19lbs lighter than AJ. .

GOOD MORNING FIGHT FANS

Are you ready?

Tonight at Tottenham Stadium, Anthony Joshua defends his heavyweight world titles against cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

The ring walk is expected at around 10pm after a full undercard of British talent.

Joshua hit the scales at the same 17st 2lbs (240lbs) he battered Kubrat Pulev at in December.

And Usyk, 34, reached his career highest of 15st 8lbs (221lbs) leaving 19lbs between them.

Usyk has been warned 'it's only a matter of time' before Joshua imposes his size to break down the masterful challenger.

Helping AJ prepare with slick southpaw sparring have been Australian Demsey McKean and German Shokran Parwani.

Both have given their insight to SunSport, predicting a slow burner as Joshua, 31, gradually makes his presence known, before closing the show towards the backend.

McKean, 30, said: "I think AJ gets the later round stoppage, in the later rounds.  He has to break him down a bit first.

"He's the biggest heavyweight going so I think it's only a matter of time until he breaks him down and gets the stoppage win."

And Parwani, 29, added: "My fight prediction is I think AJ will stop him at the end of the rounds.

"He is conditioned for 15 rounds, he's sparred guys, six guys, different attributes, different styles, different techniques.”

OPERATIC

Tomorrow will not be Anthony Joshua’s first big night out in Tottenham.

It is just that this time, the heavyweight champion of the world will not be swigging cheap cider, alcopops and cognac on his way to the venue.

Before he landed gold at the 2012 London Olympics, Joshua and a group of fellow amateur boxers were regulars at the Opera House nightclub, a mile down the road from White Hart Lane, where he defends his world titles.

Joshua said: “Oh, the Opera House — yeah, yeah.

“So one of the coaches was a bouncer — and when you go somewhere, you need to know you’re going to get in. We would train Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we would all go out on the weekend.

"Due to the fact we knew a bouncer there. They were fun days.

“I’d drink Courvoisier, Mad Dog 20/20 and cider, that two quid drink, and I’d drink that in the car. I was in the passenger seat. Then I would stand in the queue, ‘Yeah, I’m all right bouncer’. That’s when boxing was getting me on the straight and narrow.”

NO JOSH-ING

Oleksandr Usyk will be in the drivers’ seat to win on Saturday if he can survive the early rounds against Anthony Joshua.

That is the opinion of Frank Warren, the promoter who has written in his Star column that the Ukrainian must find a way to outbox the Brit.

Warren said: “We know he's a very good boxer but he is a much smaller guy so Joshua needs to stamp his authority and let his bombs go.

“If Usyk is there after seven rounds or if he's there at the end then I would fancy him to have outboxed Joshua.

“I really believe if the Ukrainian is still standing by the final bell he will have won it.

“Joshua has to hurt him, he has to land big shots and get the stoppage. Then the question is can Usyk absorb his punches?”

LAW UNTO HIMSELF

Lawrence Okolie is planning to put on a very quick show for the Tottenham crowd tomorrow.

Headlining the undercard as he defends his WBO cruiserweight crown against Dilan Prasovic, the Brit wants to start the fireworks before Anthony Joshua takes to the ring.

The undefeated champ stated: “I made the weight well so I am focused on dealing with him in good fashion

“I don't think about belts or champions. All I think about is how to win each fight.

“I want a massive KO. A massive, massive knockout."

TALE OF THE TAPE

Here is how the two fighters break down ahead of their Saturday showdown.

🥊 Joshua vs Usyk: All the TV, stream and undercard info ahead of Saturday's heavyweight bout