The date has been set in stone: Anthony Joshua's rematch against Oleksandr Uzyk is ON. The venue is also ready.
Joshua and his Ukrainian counterpart were due to fight in May and July respectively, but negotiations were stalled, which forced the fight back further.
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 medalist, 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 December 2019 on points in the oil rich country.
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.
What 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 9.30pm UK.
AJ vs Usyk 2, date, live stream, and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
Is it available on a channel and can it be streamed live?
- It is still unknown who will broadcast Joshua vs Usyk 2.
- After Joshua's departure from Sky Sports, a deal that was worth as much as PS100 million, it is expected that the fight will be aired on DAZN UK PPV.
- DAZN added a pay per view arm to their model this past year, making it unclear what a potential PPV would cost.
- DAZN is available for PS7.99 in the UK. Subscribers have unrivalled access and privileges to big names like Ryan Garcia and Canelo alvarez.
- Keep checking SunSport for the official announcement about the broadcaster.
Joshua vs Usyk 2, FULL CARD
The Joshua vs Usyk undercard is yet to be revealed.
However, it is expected that Callum Smith will compete at Jeddah just like he did in the Joshua vs Usyk Undercard.
Stay up-to-date with SunSport to receive the latest news.
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-seater arena that was built without any pillars and is the largest geodesic dome of its kind in the world.
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 first met each other face-to-face since their clash last year during the Saudi Arabia press conference.
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 gym and training camp. That's all I did until the fight.
"Then, I will enter the boxing ring and make you happy with my boxing."
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.
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 that we'll have a three time heavyweight champion of this world."
