Oleksandr Usyk says a conversation he had with Anthony Joshua after he survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria convinced him his heavyweight rival “wants to keep fighting.”
Joshua’s close friends and team members Sheena Gami and Latif “Rats” Ayodele died in the accident last month. Joshua, who was also a passenger in the car, suffered minor injuries and required hospital treatment before returning to the UK.
The incident occurred just a week after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami, but it remains to be seen whether the 36-year-old wants to continue his professional career.
Usyk defeated Joshua in heavyweight title fights in 2021 and 2022, and the two appear to have developed a strong mutual respect, which led to Usyk training with the Ukrainian faction earlier this year.
“I’ve already talked to him,” Usyk said in an interview with Ready To Fight. “I heard in his voice a desire to continue living for the friends he had lost and for the chance to live that the Lord had given him.
“Once I spoke to the mother of a fallen comrade, and she said: ‘Olexandr, he must be very proud of you for continuing your work. He will be watching over you from heaven.’
“And I think he will. And not just him, but all of my loved ones who died defending our country. They’re my guardian angels helping me in the ring.”
Usyk explains his desire to fight Wilder
Oleksandr Usyk pursues 2026 bout with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder
Three of Usyk’s 24 professional fights have taken place on American soil, but the Ukrainian still harbors ambitions to return to the United States and fight again.
As for his next opponent, after wins over Fury and Joshua, Usyk now has his sights set on Deontay Wilder, looking for a full-set victory against the leading heavyweight of his time.
“First of all, it’s America. I want to box in America,” he added. “Secondly, Wilder has been at the top for the last 10 years.
“This is about the interest of the sport. The ‘big three’ had Joshua, Fury and Wilder. I beat Joshua twice and I beat Fury twice. And there’s one undefeated guy left, and that’s Wilder.”
