Anthony Joshua faces one of his toughestboxing tests to date Saturday in London.- The 31-year-old Brit fights the former cruiserweight king
Oleksandr Usyk at heavyweight. - Unfazed by Usyk's skillset, Joshua vows to knockout the Ukrainian.
LONDON - World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has vowed to finish Oleksandr Usyk in one of his toughest tests to date.
"People want to see knockouts, and that's what we want to deliver for the fans," Joshua told reporters Thursday at a press conference attended by Insider.
Knockout puncher Joshua, 31, takes on his mandatory challenger in front of 70,000 fans Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Though the British fighter has run a gauntlet of top-tier opponents in the division, Usyk - a former undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division, and a fellow 2012 gold medal-winning Olympian - poses a clear risk.
Usyk, 34, has never been beaten before. He's never been dropped by a shot, and has rarely ever been troubled as a pro fighter in the boxing ring - though his cruiserweight performances have been more impressive than his foray into heavyweight boxing so far.
The Ukrainian has a wonderful technical skillset, is an active puncher, and is a threat from mid-range.
But Joshua is seemingly unfazed as he smiled his way through a media event at the host venue, and said: "You've got to do your A's, B's, and C's, but if you follow them, they'll lead you to KO.
"That's what we're here to do - put on a spectacular show."
Usyk is a 'good warrior,' according to Joshua
Joshua said he's been studying relentlessly to this point, looking at how the great coaches of boxing history prepare their charges for battle.
He said he's looked at Emmanuel Steward, who trained Thomas Hearns, Wladimir Klitschko, and even helped Eminem to box from his Kronk Gym facility in Detroit, Michigan.
Joshua's also been looking to replicate things he's picked up from Ray Arcel, who coached old-school legends Benny Leonard and Ezzard Charles, as well as the modern-day great Roberto Duran.
From the study, to the gym, Joshua said he's finely-tuned for his upcoming moment in the ring this weekend, when he headlines a marquee event in Britain that will be broadcast on Sky
Despite Usyk's laborious performances at heavyweight so far, which stand as a contrast to his exemplary displays at cruiserweight, Joshua remains impressed by his opponent.
"It ain't the power that will make you survive, it's the skills," he said, regarding the transition from the 200-pound weight class, to becoming one of the big boys of boxing. "That's why good fighters can move up."
Joshua said he expects Usyk to do well in the division in the future because he's "obviously a good fighter, a good warrior."
He added: "He's a live opponent, hasn't taken a loss, or been knocked down."
As for the result, he doubled down on his knockout pledge.
"People are out to see knockouts, and I want to deliver. You want to go out there and put on a clinical boxing match, but you want to hit your opponents and hurt them."