Usyk has waited 5 years for Anthony Joshua – but was wrong about his weight

When Oleksandr Usyk starts his ring walk on Saturday evening, it will be the culmination of a five-year dream to face Anthony Joshua for the Ukrainian.

Usyk had just surpassed Evander Hollyfield's long-standing record for the shortest amount of bouts to capture a cruiserweight belt when he called out the Brit in 2016.

Meanwhile, Joshua was starting to make a name for himself in the professional ranks, and he had just captured the IBF Heavyweight title from Charles Martin.

And Usyk was intrigued by the Brit, and he dubbed him the 'best heavyweight in the world'.

The then cruiserweight told RingTV.com that Joshua would be the fighter he would like to face in the future.

"I think that would be a very, very interesting bout," Usyk began, through his translator and manager Egis Klimas.

"And of course, anytime I’m thinking of that — two good fighters, fighting for the heavyweight title – it would be very interesting."

However, Usyk went on to say he wouldn't bulk for a potential bout with Joshua, instead, he spoke about his desire to just make the cut for the heavyweight class.

"I’m not going to bulk up," the Ukrainian added.

"I’m going to be exactly 100 kilograms. I think that’s going to be enough."

Who do you think will come out on top between Usyk and Joshua? Let us know in the comments section

While Usyk's dream of facing Joshua has come true, the Ukrainian was wrong about his weight prediction.

Usyk stepped onto the scales at 15st11lbs (221lbs), the heaviest he has ever weighed in for a fight.

The heavyweight cutoff, the number at which Usyk predicted he would weigh in five years ago, is 200lbs – 21lbs less than Usyk hit on Friday afternoon.

Joshua, on the other hand, tipped the scales at a solid 17st2lbs (240lbs) – slightly heavier than he was for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

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Usyk unified the cruiserweight division before he moved up to the 'land of the giants' in 2019.

The Ukrainian has impressed in his two heavyweight bouts so far, defeating Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora.

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