The date has been set - Anthony Joshua's massive rematch against Oleksandr Uzyk is ON. It is less than a month away.
Joshua and his Ukrainian counterpart were due to fight in May and July respectively, but negotiations were stalled, which forced the fight back further.
Anthony Joshua against Oleksandr Ursky 2 has been confirmed
In his first fight with Oleksandr Uzyk, Anthony Joshua was outboxed
The rematch between Joshua and Usyk was also affected by Russia's war against Ukraine.
35-year-old Usyk returned to his homeland earlier this tear in order to join the fight against Russia which began in February.
He's now at training camp for his biggest fight, one he knows he can win.
In front of 70,000 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium fans, Usyk outclassed Joshua and won the WBA, WBO, IBF, & IBO world titles last September.
Joshua, like Andy Ruiz Jr, the Olympic gold medallist, wants to correct his mistake by facing the Ukrainian fighter in a rematch.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, told Seconds Away this month that he is 'baffled’ by last year's tactics and suggested a new gameplan for the rematch.
He stated, "I was speaking to him the other evening and I think it's finally baffled him why that fight took place."
He felt, even after he lost, that he could beat Usyk. Why fight like that when you don’t have to?
He could fight in his old style and have a better chance of defeating him. Klitschko-style, but Usyk can fight in your old style and have a better chance of beating him.
Hearn said that AJ needs to be "a lot more aggressive" at this point.
Both sides spent months negotiating a money-spinner deal for AJ’s second fight in Saudi Arabia. AJ had beaten Ruiz Jr in the oil-rich country in Dec 2019.
Joshua will also be able to train with a new team. Robert Garcia, an experienced trainer, will lead his side while Angel Fernandez is second-in command.
PLAY DREAM TEAM TODAY FOR FREE WITH PS100k IN PRICE MONEYWhat time is Joshua vs Usyk II?
- Joshua vs Usyk 2, will be held Saturday August 20, 20.
- The fight will be held in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
- Joshua fought last in Saudi Arabia on December 19, 2019, at 9pm UK Time. The fight will begin at 9.30 UK Time.
AJ vs Usyk 2, date, live stream, and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
It is available on which TV channel and can it be streamed live?
- Joshua vs Usyk 2, will be broadcast live by Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.
- Sky Sports won the bid war for the rights to the event - the UK rights were not included in AJ's DAZN agreement.
- DAZN will continue to fight for the rights of all peoples.
- The PPV will set a new record at PS26.95 for viewers, making it the most expensive fight in UK history.
Joshua vs Usyk 2, FULL CARD
The Joshua vs Usyk 2-undercard has been revealed and it is going to be a great show.
Callum Smith will be competing in Jeddah just like he did in the Joshua vs Usyk Undercard. He takes on Mathieubauderlique in a WBC lightweight final eliminator.
Filip Hrgovic, a heavyweight superstar, takes on Zhilei Zhilei Zhang in an IBF title eliminator for heavyweight.
Badou Jack will also be taking on Richard Rivera.
- Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2
- Badou Jack vs Richard Rivera
- Callum Smith vs Mathieu Bouderlique (WBC light heavyweight final eliminator).
- Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhilei Zhang (IBF Heavyweight Final Eliminator)
- Tyron Spong vs Andrew Tabiti
- Daniel Lapin vs Jozef Jurko
- Ramla Ali vs Crystal Garcia Nova
- Ziyad Almaayouf vs Hector Alatorre
Where will Joshua vs Usyk II take place?
Joshua vs Uysk 2, though not yet announced, is expected to take place at the Jeddah Super Dome.
It is home to the WWE Elimination Chamber, a 40,000-seat stadium that was built without any pillars.
Saudi Arabia is a controversial host nation. The oil-rich country has been accused of sportswashing after spending large sums to lure some of the best golfers in the world to their LIV series.
Hearn has, however, dismissed any such comparison. He stated that he isn't worried about any backlash, as he has done it before.
"He will eventually go, Eddie over to you." Although I won't pass the buck, it is quite different when the deal is 50/50. We can't go back to Usyk, say "Let's do this at Spurs", because they'll just tell us it's a non-starter."
What have you heard?
Joshua and Usyk finally met for the first-time since their clash at last year's press conference in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua chuckled, "The fight against Usyk. He bust my a** during some rounds."
"And I must accept that defeat as a man, I have got to be accountable.
"In September's fight, I was wrong. He was right. It is simple.
"I don’t like to complicate the situation because there’s simplicity in genius. "I'm going to keep it simple."
Usyk said: "As we all know, our conditions back home are not the best."
"I didn't make any loud or bright speeches. I just worked hard in my training camp and my gym. That's all I'm going to do until the fight.
"Then, I will enter the boxing ring and make you happy with my boxing."
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk met at a Saudi Arabian press conference
Robert Garcia: Who are you?
Joshua is now being trained by Robert Garcia, Joshua's long-time coach Rob McCracken. AJ split from McCracken last September after Usyk's defeat.
McCracken led Joshua to Olympic Gold at London 2012, his first title in 2016 and the regaining his belts in 2019.
The tactics Joshua used to defeat Usyk were widely discredited, so the Watford man set out to find a new voice.
Garcia is now a legendary trainer who has coached 14 men to the world championships.
He's trained fighters such as Marcos Maidana (brother Mikey Garcia), Jose Ramirez and Bam Rodriguez.
The Mexican fighter was also a fighter, winning the IBF super-featherweight title in 1998.
Anthony Joshua has appointed Robert Garcia his new trainer
Robert Garcia will become Anthony Joshua's main trainer in Saudi Arabia starting August 20
After a devastating loss to Joel Casamyaor in 2001, Garcia decided to concentrate on training and retired at 26.
Garcia is a well-known offensive Mexican-style front-foot trainer and will teach Joshua the tactics he needs to defeat an unreliable southpaw like Usyk.
According to the 47-year old, "We'll see which man is better." We will do everything necessary to win these titles back.
"I believe he can do this. He is the larger man, the stronger man, and he has the reach advantage. We will take advantage of that.
"Come that day I believe without a doubt, there'll be a three-time champion of heavyweight in the world."
