Anthony Joshua will defend his world heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk this Saturday night in London in front of the biggest crowd seen at a fight post-pandemic.
Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) puts his WBA ‘Super’, WBO, IBF and IBO belts on the line against WBO mandatory challenger and fellow Olympic Gold medalist, Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of 70,000 spectators.
The Brit appeared destined for an August 14 undisputed title showdown with compatriot and WBC champion, Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia, prior to an arbitrator ruling for the ‘Gypsy King’ to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy, which takes place on October 9 in Las Vegas.
Usyk had cemented his position as mandatory challenger with victory over Derek Chisora last October in his second victory at heavyweight following his reign as undisputed cruiserweight king.
The WBO had cooled their demands for Joshua to face the Ukrainian with talks progressing with Fury and ordered an interim title clash between Usyk and Joe Joyce.
Yet, when Wilder won his right to a third fight with Fury, the governing body once again ordered ‘AJ’ to face the 34-year-old.
Joshua, 31, stopped IBF mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds at the SSE Arena in December and headlines at a UK stadium for the fifth time in his decorated career.
Joshua vs Usyk – Date and Venue
Joshua and Usyk clash on Saturday 25 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK.
Joshua vs Usyk – How To Watch It
The fight will be broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK for £24.95 and in the Republic of Ireland for €27.95.
The bout will be aired on DAZN in more than 170 countries and territories worldwide including North America, South America and Oceania – a full list can be find here.
Joshua vs Usyk – Start Time
The broadcast will start from 6pm (BST) with main event ring walks expected to take place no earlier than 10pm BST, depending on the undercard timings.
Joshua vs Usyk – Last Three Fights
Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua bt Kubrat Pulev – 9th round KO
Anthony Joshua bt Andy Ruiz Jr – UD
Andy Ruiz Jr bt Anthony Joshua – 7th round TKO
Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk bt Derek Chisora – UD
Oleksandr Usyk bt Chazz Witherspoon – 7th round RTD
Oleksandr Usyk bt Tony Bellew – 8th round KO
Undercard
Lawrence Okolie vs Dilan Prasovic – WBO cruiserweight world title
Callum Smith vs Lenin Castillo – light heavyweight
Maxim Prodan vs Florian Marku – IBF international welterweight title
Christopher Ousley vs Khasan Baysangurov – WBA Inter-Continental middleweight title
Campbell Hatton vs Sonni Martinez – lightweight
Daniel Lapin vs Paweł Martyniuk – light heavyweight
What Has Been Said?
“I looked at all Usyk’s attributes and worked on what I will need to do against him,” Joshua told the Daily Mail.
“The placing of my feet, the positioning of the hands, the timing and setting up of punches against a counter-punching southpaw, the angles, the total concentration.
“Everything it takes to outclass a clever opponent in all those departments.
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“They are the depths I’ve thrown myself into for this fight. And for all the fights to come.”
“Olympic champion against the Olympic champion,” Usyk told Matchroom’s YouTube channel.
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“We won the Olympic Games in different weight categories, but this is an event.
“It should be the best that meet the best.”
