Ukraine's defending world champion Oleksandr Usyk and British challenger Anthony Joshua hit the scales heavier than before, ahead of their heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Usyk weighed in at 100.5kg, barely changed from before although still the heaviest of his career, while Joshua was 110.9kg - almost two kg more than when he lost the titles last September in London.
Former undisputed cruiserweight world champion Usyk had been expected to bulk up considerably for his first defence of the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts in Jeddah.
"You see, your expectations are not always met," the unbeaten champion said unsmilingly when asked if he had been tricking everyone ahead of the 'Rage on the Red Sea' clash.
British bookmaker William Hill has Usyk as the favourite, with 80 percent of customers backing the Ukrainian to win by knockout or stoppage.
Usyk is also carrying the hopes of a nation, one scarred by battle and fighting a real war for survival after Russia's invasion, while another defeat for Joshua would pose big questions about his future.
The 32-year-old Joshua may not be heading into retirement if he loses again but his days of big-money title fights could be over.
"It’s up to me at the end of the day, it’s not up to anyone else what I do with my career," Joshua told reporters this week, as retirement questions were asked.
"I don’t have to do this. Why do I do it? It’s because it’s all I know."
Victory might be enough to make WBC champion Tyson Fury rethink his retirement, opening up the prospect of an all-British showdown for the unified title in what would be box office gold.
Reuters.
Join us from 9:15am Sunday for live updates of the Joshua v Usyk II heavyweight title clash
