- Joshua weighed heavier than his challenger Usyk ahead of their heavyweight clash on Saturday
- Joshua tipped the scales at 240lbs in his bid to keep his WBO, IBF and WBO titles
- Mandatory challenger Usyk has reached a career-high of 221.25lbs for the bout
Anthony Joshua weighed in 19lbs heavier than Oleksandr Usyk ahead of the heavyweight duo’s title bout.
Joshua weighed in at 240lbs for the defence of his WBO, IBF and WBO straps, the same weight he carried for his fight against Kubrat Pulev in December.
Usyk, the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion, weighed in at a career high 221.25lbs.
That is an increase on the 199.5lbs from his debut at heavyweight and the 217lbs for his triumph over Derek Chisora.
Both fighters shared an intense stare down the day before they take to the ring, before Joshua accepted Usyk’s handshake and the two men smiled.
In front of the media and a small crowd at the O2 Arena in the capital, they took it in turns to flex their muscles, with Joshua amicably handing over to his challenger.
Joshua also holds advantages in height and reach and is the favourite among bookmakers – although the bout is still expected to be a stern test.
The two fighters step into the ring in the 5 p.m. ET (midnight East African time) hour on Saturday.
