What has been rumored for weeks is now apparently going to occur in August. Oleksandr Usyk will defending the unified heavyweight title in a rematch towards former champ Anthony Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August twentieth.
Matchroom Boxing made the official announcement on Sunday afternoon that the sequel will probably be occurring within the Center East after Usyk upset Joshua in September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London final September,
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗 👀 @usykaa & @anthonyjoshua run it again Aug 20 for the unified World Heavyweight Championship 👑 #UsykJoshua2 #RageOnTheRedSea pic.twitter.com/kPeqISFRzn
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 19, 2022
From the official launch:
“Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles on the road towards Anthony Joshua within the coastal metropolis of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 20.
One of many greatest Heavyweight rematches within the historical past of the game, Usyk vs. Joshua 2, billed ‘Rage on the Purple Sea’, will happen practically three years on from the historic ‘Conflict on the Dunes’ occasion on the Diriyah Area that noticed Joshua reclaim his Heavyweight crowns towards Andy Ruiz Jr.
Beneath the patronage of HRH Mohammad bin Salman and according to the Kingdom’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 ambitions, the eyes of the sporting world will probably be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as soon as extra as ‘AJ’ goals to actual revenge over Usyk and take his place again on the prime of the Heavyweight division.
Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) was dethroned as Heavyweight King by Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Usyk in September 2021 in entrance of over 60,000 on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on a memorable night in boxing’s marquee division.
Because the pair’s first assembly, former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) has gained additional international consideration after placing the rematch on maintain to help his dwelling nation on the entrance line throughout their ongoing battle.
Usyk mentioned: “I’ve a purpose, with the assistance of the Lord I’ll full my mission!”
“What a curler coaster journey, combating for the Heavyweight Championship of the World for the twelfth consecutive time,” mentioned Joshua. “I gained the belt, unified the division gained one other belt, misplaced the belts, turned two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion and now have my date with historical past set to turn into three-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. What a chance
“Combating championship stage again to again has had its professionals and cons, however I resolve each day to get stronger, to be taught from my experiences and develop. A contented fighter is a harmful fighter and I’m the happiest and most motivated I’ve been.
“Thanks to the organisers, to 258MGT, Matchroom Boxing and to all of the boxing followers the world over, with a particular shout out to the Ukrainian followers who’ve been by means of a extremely powerful time.”
Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of SCEE, mentioned: “That is one other proud second for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bringing the most important rematch in international boxing to our nice nation. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are each sensible champions with completely different tales, expertise and types and the entire world will watch them go head-to-head within the ring on August 20 – we look ahead to welcoming them.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing, mentioned: “We’re thrilled to get one of many greatest Heavyweight rematches in boxing historical past made and provides Anthony Joshua the possibility to reclaim what he misplaced in London final September. Every part is on the road for this Unified World Heavyweight Championship bout and it couldn’t be an even bigger contest. We all know Oleksandr Usyk is a superb fighter and we noticed that final day out, however I do know Anthony Joshua is extra decided than ever.
“It was an enormous success to host Anthony Joshua’s contest with Andy Ruiz Jr. in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019 and we’re trying ahead to working with the nation once more to stage this historic occasion. So, little doubt all eyes of the world will probably be on the ring come Saturday August twentieth. This can be a story of redemption, and the countdown begins now.”
Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s Promoter, mentioned: “The rematch is on the best way. The battle will probably be a lot larger and extra spectacular than the primary. It’s new historical past within the making. Being part of this occasion is a large honour. Our nation is now combating for its heritage. Our mission is to broaden its legacy. With the assistance of the Lord we are going to obtain this.”
It’s believed that the winner of Usyk-Joshua will subsequent face unbeaten WBC Heavyweight Champ Tyson Fury in an undisputed title bout seemingly for early 2023.
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