Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua II | Sky Sports PPV - 20 August 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua rematch likely to occur in August

Anthony Joshua's rematch against Oleksandr Usyk is likely to be held on 20 August in the Middle East.

Ukrainian Usyk beat Joshua on points last year to claim the WBO, IBF and WBA (Super) titles.

A date of 23 July was pencilled in for the rematch but Usyk's promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk said they have been told to prepare for the later date.

Saudi Arabia is expected to host the rematch despite concerns about the country's human rights record.

Joshua, 32, has fought in Saudi Arabia once before when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in 2019.

It is the second time the highly anticipated rematch between Usyk and Joshua has been delayed

After Usyk dominated the first encounter against the Briton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September, Joshua immediately activated his rematch clause and had hoped to fight again in May.

But Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Usyk's decision to remain at home to help the war effort forced organisers to delay the bout.

Usyk, 35, left Ukraine in March to begin training while Joshua has spent his time away from the ring attempting to reorganise his coaching set-up as he looks to regain the belts.

American coach Robert Garcia has been hired with Joshua expected to adopt a more aggressive approach for the rematch.

[Spud]

American coach Robert Garcia has been hired with Joshua expected to adopt a more aggressive approach for the rematch.

Therein lies AJs downfall

[funso banjo baby]

Shame about the venue

But it's not a fight I'm hugely excited by

Styles may have the same result or AJ will leave his chin out and get ko'd

[Ruthless-RKO]

[big lennox]

Will this fight actually happen, I wonder. We keep hearing that it will be announced next week, and weeks have flown by, and no formal announcement and no promotion to speak off.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why are AJ’s rematches always in the Middle East?

[daz74]

More profit in the middle east, yes it’s happening, Garcia is AJ downfall - yeah ok whatever

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Lenny Cravats]

AJ was shocking last time out, whilst Usyk was as sharp as he’s ever been.
Normally, in a fight as one-sided as that (I think I gave AJ 3 rounds - the ones Usyk seemed to take off to have a bit of a breather), it’s obvious how the second fight turns out.
With this one, can’t stop thinking that AJ was just so poor on the night he might be able to turn it around. Backwards thinking, I know.

[margaret thatcher]

you're spooked by punchers aren't you

[Spud]

With this one, can’t stop thinking that AJ was just so poor on the night he might be able to turn it around. Backwards thinking, I know.

[Lenny Cravats]

you're spooked by punchers aren't you

Yes! They make me nervous.

[Lenny Cravats]

With this one, can’t stop thinking that AJ was just so poor on the night he might be able to turn it around. Backwards thinking, I know.

Told you it was backwards!

[margaret thatcher]

you're spooked by punchers aren't you

Yes! They make me nervous.

me too tbh, the whole being able to turn a fight on its head thingy....

[Dioufy]

Thing is… if AJ becomes more aggressive then that’s more opportunities for Usyk.

One clean hit and the memories come flooding back.

Obviously anything can happen but I think if they fought 100 times then Usyk would win 99 of them.

You can talk as much snack as you like, train completely different, be trained by someone else but you cannot change punch resistance. Usyk hits him… he hurts him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s funny cus normally I get a Sky Sports notification on my phone.

Nothing yet.

Only BBC Sports notification so far.

[Ruthless-RKO]

From Clash on the Dunes to Rage on the seed Sea

[Ruthless-RKO]

If ANYONE wants to change their votes.

You can do.

[Dioufy]

If ANYONE wants to change their votes.

You can do.

What you gone for Ruth?

[Ruthless-RKO]

If ANYONE wants to change their votes.

You can do.

What you gone for Ruth?

I’ve just voted now. First time.

Usyk T/KO..

I will not change that vote now.

[Dioufy]

If ANYONE wants to change their votes.

You can do.

What you gone for Ruth?

I’ve just voted now. First time.

Usyk T/KO..

I will not change that vote now.

Yeah. I’m the same. Think it could be a brutal stoppage, too.

[(craig)]

Rage on the red sea? I think the missus suffers with that!!

[KiwiRider]

So you have to have DAZN, and pay on top if that to watch the fight?
Seems like it will be a small audience.
Unless they do a one-off?

[Boxerbeetle]

Ffs, surely the Saudis have got enough money to pay for this entirely, why are we getting fleeced for a PPV on top of a DAZN subscription? Kiss my arse, I’m not paying out of principle. If it was in the UK, I probably would have done.