Oleksandr Usyk promoter snubs weight-gain claims ahead of Anthony Joshua rematch

A lot has been made about Oleksandr Usyk’s weight leading up to his second fight with Anthony Joshua on August 20. There have been various rumours and reports flying around that the Ukrainian will step on the scales as heavy as 250lb on Friday, while Usyk himself has confirmed he is heavier than he was for the inaugural encounter.

But according to Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, ‘The Cat’ is not out of his normal weight range and will weigh in around the 220lb mark – similar to the 221lb he was recorded at ahead of their September 2021 clash.

“I think we will definitely see it at the weigh-in on Friday but he’s not out of the range of his normal weight, so I don’t think his weight is going to be anything different from the weight he had in the first fight,” Krassyuk told iD Boxing. “That’s his best condition, his speed and his power is on the best level when he stays in his weight. Something around 220lb.”

Concerns had been raised after videos emerged of Usyk looking far more muscular just weeks before the proposed date. The consensus path to victory for the former undisputed cruiserweight champion is in the use of his superior speed and mobility to jab and move his way to glory.

“Now, if that is what he’s going for and he’s looking at landing to the body then if you put on manufactured weight and muscle mass, then when you’re getting banged downstairs to the body you tend to gas a little quicker.”

Joshua and Usyk square off again this Saturday at the King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia live on Sky Sports Box Office. Featured on the undercard is an IBF heavyweight final eliminator bout between Filip Hrgovic and Zhang Zhilei for a chance to face the winner of the main event. While elsewhere on the bill, Callum Smith, Ramla Ali and Badou Jack are all in action.