Joshua was involved in the crash last month that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua sustained minor injuries and returned to the UK following treatment, but the tragedy has raised questions about whether the 36-year-old will continue his career.
Usyk, who defeated Joshua in heavyweight title fights in 2021 and 2022, said the pair have developed mutual respect over time, and that he sensed determination in Joshua’s voice when they spoke after the crash.
“I've already spoken with him,” Usyk told Ready To Fight. “I heard a desire to continue in his voice - for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him.”
Usyk also reflected on his own experience with loss, describing how the words of a grieving mother inspired him to keep fighting. He said he believes his fallen comrades now serve as his guardian angels in the ring.
“Once I spoke with the mother of my fallen comrade, and she told me: ‘Oleksandr, he would be very proud that you are continuing your work; he will watch you from heaven,’” Usyk said. “And he, I think, does that. And not just him, but all my loved ones who passed away defending our country.”
Usyk Sets Sights on Wilder
Usyk also spoke about his ambitions for the future, expressing his desire to return to the United States for another fight and naming Deontay Wilder as his next target.
Having already defeated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice each, Usyk said a bout with Wilder would complete his set of victories over the era’s leading heavyweights.
“First of all, it's the USA – I want to box in America,” he said. “Secondly, Wilder has been at the top for the last 10 years.”
He added: “In the ‘big three,’ there were Joshua, Fury, and Wilder. I beat Joshua twice, I beat Fury twice, and one unbeaten one remains – Wilder.”
Usyk’s comments underline his determination to continue building his legacy as one of the most dominant heavyweights of his generation. The potential matchup with Wilder would be a major showdown for the division and could further cement Usyk’s standing at the top of the sport.