Inside Matchroom’s gala dinner for Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk with Holyfield, Chisora and ex-WWE star Strowman
ANTHONY JOSHUA and Oleksandr Usyk were in the same room for the final time at Matchroom’s gala dinner ahead of Sunday’s world heavyweight title boxing match.
Joshua, 32, and Ukrainian rival Usyk, 35, attended the bash alongside some of boxing‘s past and present stars.
Evander Holyfield, Derek Chisora and ex-WWE star Braun Strowman were among the celebrities at the dinner ahead of the fight, where the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles are up for grabs.
Usyk won the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles off Joshua last September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Joshua lost the fight by unanimous decision and has since made a number of changes to his coaching staff and training camp to prepare for the rematch.
Both fighters appeared relaxed at the gala, choosing to wear casual clothing while the rest dressed to impress.
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Heavyweight boxer Chisora dressed head-to-toe in traditional Saudi clothing and was all smiles as he joked with Joshua.
Former heavyweight world champion Holyfield posed alongside Usyk.
Ex-WWE giant Strowman fist bumped AJ and even made the 6ft 6in former champ look small.
The big man, who faced off against WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in WWE, and lost, is enjoying his time away from wrestling.
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Joshua feels positive he can win back the belts he held up until last September.
The Brit, who has two professional losses to his name, says he “should be victorious”.
He said: ” It’s a pressure to sharpen me, definitely. It’s a motivation.
“It’s a big fight but one I feel I’m positive I can win. My mind’s right, my heart is in the right place. I want to kind of raise my heart rate.
“I want to do things in the ring that will make me believe in myself.
“I’m sure if I do those things, I should be victorious. And that’s just where my head’s at.”
