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

[margaret thatcher]

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

[Ruthless-RKO]

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.

Yeh. Surely the Saudi’s are covering all the costs..

[tigermoth87]

Hate that it's in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua is a complete hypocrite. Supports Black Lives Matter, speaks up about equality and human rights--fair enough--but then proceeds to agree to fight in a country with one of the worst human rights records on the planet.

Hopefully Usyk embarassed him again. I barely gave Joshua two rounds last time, and that was less to do with The Humble One and more Usyk having a breather.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles on the line against Anthony Joshua in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 20.

One of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in the history of the sport, Usyk vs. Joshua 2, billed ‘Rage on the Red Sea’, will take place nearly three years on from the historic ‘Clash on the Dunes’ event at the Diriyah Arena that saw Joshua reclaim his Heavyweight crowns against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Under the patronage of HRH Mohammad bin Salman and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once more as ‘AJ’ aims to exact revenge over Usyk and take his place back at the top 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 front of over 60,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on a memorable evening in boxing’s marquee division.

Since the pair’s first meeting, former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) has gained further global attention after putting the rematch on hold to support his home nation on the front line during their ongoing conflict.

Usyk said: “I have a goal, with the help of the Lord I will complete my mission!”

“What a roller coaster journey, fighting for the Heavyweight Championship of the World for the 12th consecutive time,” said Joshua. “I won the belt, unified the division won another belt, lost the belts, became two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion and now have my date with history set to become three-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. What an opportunity."

Fighting championship level back to back has had its pros and cons, but I decide every day to get stronger, to learn from my experiences and grow. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.

“Thank you to the organisers, to 258MGT, Matchroom Boxing and to all the boxing fans across the world, with a special shout out to the Ukrainian fans who have been through a really tough time.”

Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of SCEE, said: “This is another proud moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bringing the biggest rematch in global boxing to our great country. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are both brilliant champions with different stories, skills and styles and the whole world will watch them go head-to-head in the ring on August 20 – we look forward to welcoming them.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing, said: “We are thrilled to get one of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in boxing history made and give Anthony Joshua the chance to reclaim what he lost in London last September. Everything is on the line for this Unified World Heavyweight Championship bout and it could not be a bigger contest. We know Oleksandr Usyk is a great fighter and we saw that last time out, but I know Anthony Joshua is more determined than ever. It was a huge success to host Anthony Joshua’s contest with Andy Ruiz Jr. in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019 and we are looking forward to working with the country again to stage this historic event. So, no doubt all eyes of the world will be on the ring come Saturday August 20th. This is a story of redemption, and the countdown starts now.”

Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s Promoter, said: “The rematch is on the way. The fight will be much bigger and more spectacular than the first. It is new history in the making. Being a part of this event is a huge honour. Our country is now fighting for its heritage. Our mission is to expand its legacy. With the help of the Lord we will achieve this.”

Freddie Cunningham, Managing Director, 258MGT, said: “We are on the verge again of another huge moment in boxing history and the career of Anthony Joshua. Since turning professional Anthony has never shied away from anything, he has taken every challenge and actively looked for the biggest fights against the best in his division. This is his opportunity to become a Three Time Heavyweight Champion of the World and he will put everything into achieving this amazing feat. A big thank you to our team at 258 MGT, SCEE, Matchroom Boxing and everyone who has helped put this together.”

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course. Sign up HERE for Usyk vs. Joshua 2 bulletins and ticket updates.

[TheLeprechaun]

I have to rewatch the first fight but I do remember Joshua winning some of the middle rounds.

[garethhop]

The fact that one of the judges (good old Howard Foster) had Joshua winning the fight after 9 rounds, is the thing that gives Usyk most to think about this time around.

Do not rule out an shafting on the cards.

[forcefraser]

With the money DAZN have forked out for Joshua then a shafting is very much on the cards.

If he loses this one then they have bought a busted flush for a fortune. Unless he loses every round clearly then Joshua will get it on a split decision.

I reckon Usyk will be going for a late stoppage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Launch Press is tomorrow.

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[margaret thatcher]

aj was wearing some high arse shoes thhere

[Glass Joe]

Any chance of the PGA sponsoring this event?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Go
To 12:40
On this video.

It shows the towel being swung.

[tony1234]

If DAZN think enough people will pay for a PPV on an app in the current circumstances they're mad. There was nothing controversial in the first fight to make a rematch interesting and I've a feeling this will get called off through 'injury' or another excuse.
Boxing needs to temper in its greed right now

[oogiebe]

I'm betting 7th round stoppage for Usyk.

[(craig)]

Go
To 12:40
On this video.

It shows the towel being swung.

He was doing the Newport helicopter

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch reportedly set to break record with $80million Saudi Arabia site deal, but AJ could earn less than for Andy Ruiz Jr fight

The Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch is reportedly set to break all records for a boxing site deal, but AJ may still earn less than he did for his last fight in Saudi Arabia.

Back in 2019 following his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr, Joshua took the rematch in Diriyah after his promoter Eddie Hearn secured site deal from the Arab nation.

As the first fight between them was merely a voluntary defence, Ruiz Jr did not have a strong hand in negotiations.

He signed for a rematch clause and agreed a deal which saw him earn significantly less than AJ, even in the second fight.

Therefore the majority of the purse money from the reported $60million (£48.7million) Saudi deal back then went straight to Joshua.

This time around with Usyk though, things are different. As he was a mandatory challenger, the Ukrainian had more leverage.

He too agreed a rematch clause, but only on the condition that the second fight was a 50/50 purse split.

According to the Star, the Saudi deal this time around is in the region of $80million (£65million) for the bout on August 20 – breaking the record set by the Ruiz Jr fight.

What this all means is that, although the Usyk vs Joshua rematch is set to break the record for the biggest ever boxing site deal, it might not be the biggest purse of AJ’s career.

There has also been criticism of the pact amid claims of Saudi Arabia sportswashing.

Amnesty International have said it is time for the participants to use their platforms to spark debate over human rights issues in the country.

“As we said with golfers in the LIV series and with the sale of Newcastle United, we’d like to see high-profile sporting figures speaking out about human rights to break the malign spell of Saudi sportswashing,” said Peter Frankel, economic affairs director at Amnesty International UK.

“We would urge Anthony Joshua to use his platform to show solidarity with those who’ve been persecuted under Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping crackdowns.”

Promoter Hearn told talkSPORT on the issue: “Boxing, quite frankly, is not golf.

“You’re dealing with people who are putting themselves on the line, putting their health on the line. It’s also, by the way, a 50/50 split, so we have absolutely no choice.

“We would have loved to have done this fight in London at Tottenham, because it gives a fighter home advantage. But, guess what? Usyk’s team was not really prepared to go to London when there was four or five times the amount of money to go elsewhere.

“This is a very interesting debate. I’ve seen all the stuff going on with the PGA Tour. I repeat – This is not a game of golf.

“I have a responsibility to make sure these fighters come out of this sport with enough financial security to secure the next generation.”

[garethhop]

Financial security? Bollocks.

There are all kinds of reasons you can make a case for why criticism shouldn't be levelled at Boxing for going to Saudi (i.e. the UK Government is all wrapped in Saudi and currently trying to increase their trade with them...) but on a morale standalone issue, when both boxers could earn tens of millions in the UK or the US from this fight, financial security is nonsense.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Launch Press Conference



3:30 pm UK time

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oleksandr Usyk odds-on to beat Anthony Joshua in highly-anticipated rematch

•Oleksandr Usyk is odds-on at 4/9 to beat Anthony Joshua in their highly-anticipated rematch on August 20

•Joshua, who was handed his second professional defeat by Usyk 11 months ago, is 7/4 to exact revenge on the Ukrainian, while a draw is 16/1

•Usyk is 17/10 to knock Joshua out and it is odds-on at 8/11 for the fight not to go the distance

Betfair: Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk match odds

Oleksandr Usyk: 4/9
Draw: 16/1
Anthony Joshua: 7/4

Betfair: Method of victory

Oleksandr Usyk Points or Decision 9/5:
Oleksandr Usyk KO/TKO: 17/10
Anthony Joshua Points or Decision: 4/1
Anthony Joshua KO/TKO: 4/1

Betfair: Will the fight go the distance?

Yes: Evens
No: 8/11

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Ahead of their highly-anticipated rematch in August, Oleksandr Usyk is odds-on at 4/9 to earn a second victory over Anthony Joshua in the space of 11 months. AJ is 7/4 to exact revenge on Usyk, who inflicted just a second career loss on the Brit in London last year, while a draw is 16/1. Usyk beat Joshua via a unanimous decision last time out, but it is now odds-on at 8/11 for the fight not to go the distance.”

Joshua Usyk odds courtesy of Betfair

[Ruthless-RKO]

Usyk-Joshua 2 quotes, press conference concludes with intense staredown



“It’s a big honor for me to be here,” said Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), who is also a former undisputed cruiserweight champion. “As we all know, we are not in the best conditions back at home, but we’re doing everything possible to achieve our goal. I never make loud and bright speeches. All I do is work hard in training camp. That’s what I’m going to do until the day of the fight, and then I’ll enter the ring and make you happy with my boxing.

“The reason for my happiness is not my championship belts, but the fact that I have my family, my children, and a wonderful team around me.”

“The hunger is still there,” stated Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), who avenged a seventh-round stoppage defeat to Andy Ruiz by outclassing the Mexican-American over 12 rounds. “Blips happen in life, but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail.

“We have to give credit where it’s due. I’m not a hater. I respect people, and I respect [Usyk’s] craft and what he’s achieved. If I’m around someone who is better than me on the night, then I have to motivate myself to be better than him. The important thing is I have a second chance. And if you know anything about my life, I got into trouble when I was a youngster and it was boxing that gave me a second chance.

“We’re still on the road to undisputed and [the first fight] was just a little blip on the road. I’m focused on the target, which is sitting over there. Usyk bust my ass for some rounds, and I have to take my defeat like a man. I hold myself accountable. I’m focused on the goal. God willing, I’ll perform and I’ll be three-time champion of the world.

“This is all very nice, it’s all very pleasant, but we’re only here to win,” stated Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn. “We’re here to see [Anthony Joshua] regain all these wonderful belts on August 20.”

As Hearn said, the press conference was “pleasant,” but the final face off became very intense. The fighters stared daggers at each other for several moments, ignoring requests to face the photographers, and it was Usyk who seemed the more amped up of the two.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 tickets: How to buy, prices and alerts

The fight will take place at the Jeddah Super Dome



Where can I buy tickets for Joshua vs Usyk 2?

Tickets are not yet available for the fight, but you can sign up to email communications from Matchroom to be the first to hear about ticket information.

[Dioufy]

Boring ass presser and pretty weird. All those geezers in attendance pretty much on their phones 24/7.

Should be in Vegas or the UK.

[maverick23]

Financial security? Bollocks.

There are all kinds of reasons you can make a case for why criticism shouldn't be levelled at Boxing for going to Saudi (i.e. the UK Government is all wrapped in Saudi and currently trying to increase their trade with them...) but on a morale standalone issue, when both boxers could earn tens of millions in the UK or the US from this fight, financial security is nonsense.

Apparently Saudi are paying $80m to stage the fight. I agree that financial security isn’t a valid reason but an $80m rights fee would dwarf what they could get in the U.K./US so I’m not surprised they’re so keen to go over there.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Are they gonna do a press tour?

At least one in the UK?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Financial security? Bollocks.

There are all kinds of reasons you can make a case for why criticism shouldn't be levelled at Boxing for going to Saudi (i.e. the UK Government is all wrapped in Saudi and currently trying to increase their trade with them...) but on a morale standalone issue, when both boxers could earn tens of millions in the UK or the US from this fight, financial security is nonsense.

Apparently Saudi are paying $80m to stage the fight. I agree that financial security isn’t a valid reason but an $80m rights fee would dwarf what they could get in the U.K./US so I’m not surprised they’re so keen to go over there.

It’s 50-50 split too.

So even though it’s a record site fee, AJ will be getting less than he did against Ruiz.