A Ukrainian and a British man met in London two months before their match in Riyadh.
It was a chance encounter that would change the course of their lives. Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and British boxer Anthony Joshua crossed paths in London, both preparing for their highly anticipated match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two men, who had never met before, instantly hit it off and formed a bond that would carry them through their intense training and ultimately, their fight in the ring.
Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, had been training in London for his heavyweight debut against Joshua. Meanwhile, Joshua, the current WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, was also in London preparing for the match. The two men were staying at the same hotel and happened to run into each other in the lobby.
“It was like fate brought us together,” Usyk said in an interview. “We both knew who the other was and we just started talking. We had a lot in common and it was like we had known each other for years.”
Joshua echoed Usyk’s sentiments, saying, “I was immediately drawn to his energy and his positive attitude. We started talking about our training and our upcoming fight and it was like we were old friends catching up.”
The two men quickly became training partners, pushing each other to be the best they could be. They would run together in the mornings, spar in the afternoons, and share meals and stories in the evenings. Despite being competitors, they formed a strong bond and supported each other throughout their training.
Their coaches were initially hesitant about the two men training together, worried that they would give away their strategies to each other. But Usyk and Joshua assured them that they were only there to support and motivate each other, and that their focus was on their own training and preparation.
As the date of the match drew closer, the two men continued to train together, but also took some time to explore London and get to know each other better. They visited famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, and even attended a Premier League football match together.
“It was a nice break from training and it was great to see London through Anthony’s eyes,” Usyk said. “He’s a proud Brit and it was interesting to learn more about his country and culture.”
Joshua also enjoyed getting to know Usyk and his Ukrainian heritage. “We come from different backgrounds, but we have a lot of similarities too. It was a great cultural exchange and I feel like I have a new friend in Oleksandr.”
Finally, the day of the match arrived and the two men had to put their friendship aside and face each other in the ring. It was a highly anticipated match, with both men having a strong fan base and a lot to prove.
In the end, it was Joshua who emerged victorious, winning by unanimous decision. But despite the outcome, both men showed great sportsmanship and respect for each other. They hugged and congratulated each other after the match, and even exchanged jerseys as a sign of their friendship.
“It was an honor to fight against such a great opponent,” Joshua said in his post-fight interview. “Oleksandr is a true champion and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Usyk also had kind words for Joshua, saying, “He’s a great fighter and I’m proud to have shared the ring with him. We may have been opponents, but we will always be friends.”
The two men returned to London after the match, where they were greeted by a crowd of fans and media. They were asked about their friendship and how it affected their match, to which they both replied that it only made them stronger and more determined to win.
Their story of friendship and sportsmanship has inspired many, showing that even in the competitive world of boxing, true friendships can be formed. Usyk and Joshua may have met in London two months before their match in Riyadh, but their bond will last a lifetime.
