Three heavyweight titles are up for grabs on Saturday, August 20th in Saudi Arabia as British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) will face Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs).
The Ukraine boxer defeated Joshua last year to take WBO, WBA, and IBF titles from him, and now he’s defending them for the first time.
Joshua will hope to repeat his success from 2019, when he lost his titles to Andy Ruiz Jr but won the rematch in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s a must-win,” Joshua said during Wednesday’s final press conference in Jeddah, “but I like the pressure.”
So many things have changed since Usyk outboxed Joshua inside a raucous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the U.K 11 months ago.
Usyk’s native Ukraine enter a massive conflict following an invasion from neigbouring country Russia. The reigning WBO, WBA, and IBF champion was among the many notable combat sports athletes to put their career on pause in order to join his nation’s fight on the frontlines.
Usyk had a tough time in deciding to fight a rematch with Joshua due to the conflict, but he later decided to go on with the rematch after speaking with so many high-ranking military officers on the ground and injured soldiers inside hospitals.
Joshua has carved out his own brilliant professional career, but will he get revenge against Usyk? Or does Usyk simply have his number?
Time and where to watch Usyk vs Joshua
The fight between Joshua and Usyk will take place in the indoor arena at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, August 20.
The main event will start around 12 AM on Sunday, August 21 as Saudi Arabia is three hours ahead of Nigeria and will be available on DSTV.
