By Jake Tiernan: Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 rematch is reportedly set for August 20th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ESPN is reporting the news of the Joshua-Usyk II fight being done, and we’re still waiting for the official word from Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing company for it to be final.
This is the match that boxing fans have been waiting for since the two fought last September in London, a fight that Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) won by a surprising upset 12-round unanimous decision to rip the IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight belts from the superstar AJ.
This is Joshua’s big chance to regain his three lost titles and to show that he’s still the #1 heavyweight on the planet after nine years as a professional.
If Joshua can beat Usyk, WBC champion Tyson Fury is expected to come out of his retirement to face him for the undisputed championship.
With the 6’9″ Fury already fabulously wealthy, he needs the motivation of fighting Joshua to get him back in the ring because he’s not excited about the thought of fighting Usyk unless they pay him an absurd amount of money for the contest.
Fury mentioned wanting $500 million for a fight with Usyk, and while he was obviously trolling, what he’s saying suggests that he’s not eager to fight him as would for a better-paying match against Joshua.
Usyk seemed to have Joshua’s number last September, out-boxing him with ease for a one-sided 12-round unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in London, England.
The judges scored the fight close at 117-112, 115-113, and 116-112, but it appeared a lot more decisive than that for Usyk.
“The heavyweight title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua is now set for Aug. 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, sources told ESPN on Thursday,” said Mike Coppinger.
Joshua. vs. Usyk II will be shown on DAZN PPV, which won’t make boxing fans happy at having to pay to see it. They’ll pay because it’s going to be a huge fight with massive ramifications.
If Usyk wins, it’ll be interesting to see if Fury chooses to come out of retirement to fight him.
“No, because I heard that DAZN wants not only to be subscription, but they want to be pay-per-view as well and Anthony Joshua is the most logical target to go for if you’re a platform that wants to generate pay-per-view,” said Adam Booth to SecondsOut when asked if he was surprised that Anthony Joshua signed with DAZN.
“If you sign Tyson Fury as well, you’ve cracked your first pay-per-view event. I don’t think so,” said Booth when asked if it’s more difficult to make the Joshua-Fury fight now that Joshua has switched networks from Sky to DAZN.
“Tyson is quite fluid and in control of everything that he does, and what goes into his career, whether he decides to fight again or not. So, no, I don’t think so. I think money will talk,” said Booth.
