By Charles Brun: Anthony Joshua will be putting his career on the line in his rematch with IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on August 20th on DAZN PPV in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn says Joshua wants “redemption” to even the score after his loss to Usyk nine months ago.
Hearn had hoped to stage the rematch in London again, but Team Usyk wanted to stage the match where it would make the most money rather than placing it in a spot that would give Joshua the advantage again.
You can’t blame Usyk for choosing to take the second fight in a location where it can bring in the most revenue because you never know what might happen when it comes to the scoring of the rematch.
The last time they fought in London, Usyk appeared to win 10 of 12 rounds, yet he barely squeaked by a victory by these scores: 117-112, 115-113, and 116-112.
Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) is counting on repeating history by avenging another one of his disappointing defeats when he takes on the unbeaten Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) two months from now.
If Joshua is right about his belief that he can avenge his defeat, he will have resurrected his career and be showered with praise from boxing fans and the media. The gravy train will continue for Matchroom Boxing, and all will be well.
However, if Joshua royally blew it by taking the rematch with Usyk, he’ll be trounced and likely knocked out, and he’ll make DAZN look dunces for having given him a colossal deal in bringing him to their network.
AJ lost his three titles to Usyk last September in a 12-round unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in North London, England.
Since then, many boxing fans have advised the 32-year-old Joshua to cut his losses, stay away from Usyk, and focus on going for a cash-out match against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
The Gypsy King has seemingly lost his ambition to continue his career after recent wins over Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder.
Joshua has decided to fight Usyk again, and he believes he can win back his IBF, WBA & WBO titles in the same way AJ did when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr. in their rematch in December 2019 after losing to him in their first fight in June of that year in New York.
The difference here is that Usyk isn’t going to make a pig of himself, eat his way to 283 lbs, and blow off training camp the way Ruiz Jr.
“Everything is on the line for this bout, and it could not be a bigger contest,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “We know Oleksandr Usyk is a great fighter, and we saw that last time out, but I know Anthony Joshua is more determined than ever.
“No doubt all eyes of the world will be on the ring come Saturday, August 20th. This is a story of redemption, and the countdown starts now,” said Hearn.
