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Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk Official, September 25 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Oleksandr Usyk says that he expects to be the only one standing at the end of his world heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua, which has finally been confirmed for September 25.

“The path will be mastered by the walking one,” said Usyk in the official announcement for the fight, clearly hinting that Joshua would not be walking at the end.

Joshua will put his WBA, IBO, WBO and IBF titles on the line against the Ukrainian, the WBO’s mandatory contender, who was undisputed world champion at cruiserweight, in a fight that will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.

“The date is set and we are fully locked in,” said Joshua. "September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown. We are two Olympic Gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges.

“The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue. The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”

Joshua was forced to turn to Usyk once plans for a fight with Tyson Fury for the undisputed world heavyweight title were scuppered. Originally it was pencilled in for August 14 - the same date that Joshua had expected to face Fury, before a United States judge ruled that Fury had to face Deontay Wilder instead – but Joshua decided to take two weeks off training to refocus on Usyk, so a later date was selected.

Usyk is no stranger to boxing in Britain. He beat Derek Chisora last year at Wembley, having previously knocked out Tony Bellew in Manchester in defence of his cruiserweight crown. As an amateur, he won a European gold medal in Liverpool in 2008, won Olympic gold in London at heavyweight in 2012 (the day before Joshua won super-heavyweight gold) and even beat Joe Joyce in a World Series of Boxing match at York Hall in 2013.

“Olympic Gold vs. Olympic Gold, Unified World Heavyweight Champion vs. Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion this one has it all and I can’t wait to stage this huge event in front of over 60,000 at the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25,” said Eddie Hearn, the promoter.

It will be the first time that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened in 2019, has been used for boxing. It had due to be the venue for Joshua’s defence against Kubrat Pulev in the summer of 2020, but that was postponed due to the pandemic.

Tottenham’s previous stadium, White Hart Lane, which stood on virtually the same spot was often used for fights, most recently in 1991, with Chris Eubank’s tragic fight against Michael Watson. It was last used for a big heavyweight fight in 1987, when Frank Bruno beat Joe Bugner. But there were other big fights at Tottenham, such as the 1942 clash between Freddie Mills and Len Harvey, when Mills knocked Harvey through the ropes and straight down to the pitch below.

“This is a huge occasion for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,” said Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur. “Anthony Joshua is an icon in the world of sport and to have him fight here in London N17, against a top opponent in Oleksandr Usyk, will be amazing for the area of Tottenham. This event will once again showcase the stadium’s ability to take the hosting of world-class sporting occasions to the next level – we cannot wait for September 25.”

The fight will be live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland, the final fight of their present deal with Joshua.

Adam Smith, the head of boxing development at Sky, said: “Anthony Joshua is back, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in an epic evening of world heavyweight title action on September 25. We’ve followed Anthony Joshua’s enthralling journey since the very start - and now Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk stands in the way of AJ’s ultimate ambition of becoming an undisputed world champion.

“The unbeaten Usyk is returning to the city where he struck gold at the same Olympic Games as AJ and we know him well from that dramatic win over Tony Bellew and a breathless battle with Derek Chisora. I couldn’t be more delighted after working for two years to secure a spectacular heavyweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a stunning backdrop for fight fans as Joshua vs. Usyk lights up London.”

I think AJ can use his range to nullify Usyk. Usyk will try to come on late but AJ will win a wide decision.

I just don't see it being a decision. Either Usyk will outwork AJ until he gets tired and sloppy or AJ eventually lands a KO whether he's in control or not. I think the latter is more likely.

This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:20 This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

Parker or Ruiz according to rankings if it is for the next mandatory in a years time

joshj909 wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:29

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:20 This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

Parker or Ruiz according to rankings if it is for the next mandatory in a years time

Ruiz/Joyce is an interesting clash of styles.

I honestly think Joshua or any half decent large heavyweight is too big for for Usyk. I think Joe Joyce would stop Usyk.

Rewatched AJ- Ruiz 2 and whilst Joshua looked impressive on the back foot, Ruiz was low output and slow on his feet. Usyk is the opposite. He'll be swatting AJ like a fly.. Circling around him poking him with the jab

If AJ decides to switch it on though and go for it ala 5th Round against Wlad and like he did against Pulev, I don't know if Usyk can survive that onslaught as a smaller guy.

I see Usyk winning almost every round, whilst having to take a knee once or twice, and then losing by a wide UD on the scorecards.

tomclarky wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 13:58 Rewatched AJ- Ruiz 2 and whilst Joshua looked impressive on the back foot, Ruiz was low output and slow on his feet. Usyk is the opposite. He'll be swatting AJ like a fly.. Circling around him poking him with the jab

If AJ decides to switch it on though and go for it ala 5th Round against Wlad and like he did against Pulev, I don't know if Usyk can survive that onslaught as a smaller guy.

I see Usyk winning almost every round, whilst having to take a knee once or twice, and then losing by a wide UD on the scorecards.

Now go an rewatch Usyk vs Chisora and report back

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:20 This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

Dillion "PPV" Whyte?
Uysk would knock the snot out of Whyte, Joyce would be very competitive and I think it would be fan friendly for sure.

skanksta wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 14:15
Now go an rewatch Usyk vs Chisora and report back

Ha, yes Del Boy is the measuring stick. Gonna miss him when he retires.

Allas wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 07:50 If he comes in light, like the Ruiz 2 fight, he doesn't really possess the power to hurt Usyk IMO,

That’s not the case IMO, the reason he appeared to lack power versus Ruiz 2 was because he was boxing to orders, nothing to do with his weight . They clearly told him to be cautious and don’t plant your feet and load up. They didn’t want a repeat of the first fight

AJ at any weight has sufficient power for Usyk.

Presumably power won’t be the defining factor vs Usyk ... the ability to land will .

WBO have given all parties 48 hours, or they will order AJ-Usyk.

Usyk will outbox Joshua. That's Usyk's best chance to become HW champ now.

While I prefer AJ v Fury (like everyone else on the planet besides Team Usyk), AJ v Usyk is very intriguing to me.

Usyk has the potential to tire AJ out. He is not the tub of lard that Ruiz was in the second fight. He would have to weather a few storms early, though. Not sure that he can get up from the kind of shot AJ landed on Ruiz in the first fight.

aj moidas him

KiwiRider wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 15:16

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:20 This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

Dillion "PPV" Whyte?
Uysk would knock the snot out of Whyte, Joyce would be very competitive and I think it would be fan friendly for sure.

Whyte is a fight anyone type guy, but I don’t think he would fight Joyce unless it’s for a belt. Whyte might spark him, but I honestly think Joyce just grinds him down. Risk reward not great in terms of career progression, although I’d buy the fornicate out of the ppv.

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 18:25

KiwiRider wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 15:16

gregregegg wrote: ↑19 May 2021, 08:20 This fight should of happened in March or April. But ah well if it happens august I’m still fine with it. Who you book Joyce with now, looks like the poor juggernaught has been strung along to nothing..

Dillion "PPV" Whyte?
Uysk would knock the snot out of Whyte, Joyce would be very competitive and I think it would be fan friendly for sure.

Whyte is a fight anyone type guy, but I don’t think he would fight Joyce unless it’s for a belt. Whyte might spark him, but I honestly think Joyce just grinds him down. Risk reward not great in terms of career progression, although I’d buy the fornicate out of the ppv.

Heck yeah!
It's a more interesting fight than any of his other "PPVs"
Whyte is a fight anyone type of guy, but with the massive caveat of having to meet his monetary expectations.

Joshua-Usyk: WBO Gives Hearn 48 Hours To Provide Proof of Fury Deal

Another layer has been added to the continued fallout in efforts to produce an undisputed heavyweight champion.

The World Boxing Organization has issued a “Show Cause” to promoted Eddie Hearn, who must provide in the next 48 hours verifiable proof of a forthcoming showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Failure to do so will leave the WBO to order a mandatory title fight between Joshua and number-one contender Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13KOs).

“It is hereby ordered to “Show Cause” within the next 48 hours upon issuance of this order as to why the WBO World Championship Committee shall not order the commencement of negotiations between Mandatory Challenger Oleksandr Usyk and WBO Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua immediately,” Luis Batista-Salas, chairman of the WBO Championship committee stated in a letter to Hearn, a copy of which has been obtained by Boxing Scene. “Be advised that failure to comply with this order will constitute a waiver of all rights hereunder and with the Committee proceeding accordingly without a further summons and/or hearing.”

Hearn has been working for months to put together an all-British heavyweight superfight between unified WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight titlist Joshua (24-1, 22KOs) and lineal/WBC champ Fury (30-0-1, 21KOs). Those plans were compromised on Monday, when an arbitration judge ruled in favor of honoring an existing contract calling for a third fight between Fury and Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41KOs) to take place no later than September 15. The development forced the WBO’s hand, as the sanctioning body previously called for an interim title fight between Usyk and Joe Joyce in its effort to allow Joshua and Fury to proceed with crowning the first undisputed heavyweight champion in this century.

The next 48 hours will determine if that remains on the table.

“Please be advised that on Monday, 17, 2021, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) was advised that the arbitrator presiding over Tyson Fury/Deontay Wilder rematch clause dispute rendered an “Award” granting Deontay Wilder injunctive relief and ordering Tyson Fury to participate in a rematch… on or before September 15, 2021,” “The award issued by the arbitrator is binding and enforceable between the relevant parties.

“Conversely, as you are aware, on January 29, 2021, the WBO World Championship Committee ordered the commencement of the negotiations for the Interim Heavyweight Championship Contest between Usyk/[Joe] Joyce to keep the division active and to seek the protection and safeguard the rights and interests of Usyk and the remaining WBO Heavyweight Contenders considering the potential Undisputed Heavyweight Championship bout between Joshua/Fury. Such ruling was subject to very specific conditions, including but not limited to the WBO Championship

Committee’s right to issue any further ruling or determination deemed necessary, helpful, and convenient to establish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO Rules and Regulations.”

Ukraine’s Usyk has continued to press for a mandatory title fight with Joshua. Wilder is refusing to step aside, as he much rather prefers to avenge his lone career defeat following a 7th round knockout at the hands of Fury last February.

The rematch between Wilder and Fury came with a contractual clause allowing for the losing fighter to call for a third fight. Wilder enforced that clause one week after their Pay-Per-View headliner at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with the venue due to host such a fight last July 18. The fight was postponed to October 3 and then again to December as event handlers were hesitant to proceed with such a show taking place without fans in attendance due to social distancing restrictions.

A dispute over an available date last December prompted the matter to be heard before an arbitration judge. Wilder insisted the contract was still valid. Fury and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum insisted to anyone who would listen that such a clause had expired and that the unbeaten lineal champion was moving forward with a mouthwatering showdown versus Joshua.

Hearn went on record earlier this week as having been assured by Team Fury that the matter would not stand in the way of such a fight. The ruling handed down on Monday clearly contradicted that claim, with Hearn himself issuing a deadline to Fury’s side to resolve the matter.

The call from the WBO goes a long way in explaining that sense of urgency, although there is, of course, the part where Joshua needs to move forward with his career. The massively popular heavyweight—who captured a Gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics—has fought just once since regaining his unified titles, coming in a 9th round knockout of IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev last December.

The fight took place at the reluctance of Usyk, who believed he was next due a title shot. The former World cruiserweight champion—who also captured an Olympic Gold medal in 2012—was then asked to accept an interim title fight with Joyce. The offer came with the assurance of—with a win—a straight path to the title, be it versus the winner of Fury-Joshua or by default in the event said winner refused to face him.

It also came with the guarantee of next fighting for the title in the event that Fury-Joshua did not take place within the deadline imposed by the WBO. The purpose of the Show Cause letter is to confirm if this is where all parties are presently at or if hope remains of the desired all-British heavyweight superfight.

Fury has since alleged in the aftermath of the ruling that Wilder’s side has demanded a $20 million step aside fee. Team Wilder has vehemently denied that claim, with the Alabama-bred heavyweight long desiring a third fight sans any compensation to move in any other direction.

Arum has since told all involved parties that he plans to move forward with Fury-Wilder 3, with a suggested date of July 24. The promoter claims to have placed a hold for the date with Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

Whether or not that is the next step is less crucial to the WBO than honoring the rights of Usyk, who—through high-powered attorneys Patrick English and John Hornewer—has threatened legal action regarding the overdue status of his mandatory title shot. The southpaw was named as the mandatory challenger in 2019, having been forced to wait out Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz—regaining his titles in Dec. 2019—and the aforementioned IBF mandatory title defense versus Pulev.

Usyk and his team have always been resistant to the idea of fighting for the interim fight, as the greater desire is to challenge for the real thing. By week’s end, he will at least be provided with clarity, if not a direct path to commence negotiations with Joshua.

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk could come home to Wembley Stadium after target dates were revealed with Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder happening in America

Anthony Joshua’s likely next fight against Oleksandr Usyk could take place at Wembley Stadium, according to Usyk’s team.

Following Deontay Wilder’s arbitration victory at the start of this week, AJ’s planned fight with Tyson Fury has collapsed.

Instead, the ‘Gypsy King’ must now face the ‘Bronze Bomber’ once again.

This is expected to be finalised in the coming days for July 24 in Las Vegas.

But where does that leave AJ?

The unified champion had his proposed bout by Fury specially sanctioned by the WBO, allowing him to have the undisputed showdown while keeping mandatory challenger Usyk on hold.

If this does come to fruition, it would be AJ’s fourth fight at Wembley Stadium.

When he was just a prospect, the heavyweight stopped Matt Legg on the undercard of Carl Froch vs George Groves 2.

Three years later, he headlined against Wladimir Klitschko and then followed up with a defence against Alexander Povetkin.

He’s also previously sold out Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on multiple occasions.

Usyk's Promoter Confident Anthony Joshua Fight Will Now Happen

Alexander Krassyuk, promoter for Oleksandr Usyk, feels confident that a deal will get made for his boxer to face IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, is Joshua's mandatory challenger under the WBO.

For the last few months, Joshua was trying to finalize a full division unification with WBC champion Tyson Fury.

But that scenario suffered a major blow on Monday, when an arbitrator ordered Fury to honor a rematch obligation to Deontay Wilder. Their trilogy fight is being put together for July 24 in Las Vegas.

And according to Krassyuk, there are ongoing to discussions for Usyk to challenge Joshua at Wembley in August.

"We never had any bad relations with [Joshua's promoter] Eddie [Hearn]. So we’ve been in touch before and we are in touch even more often today and yesterday and the day before yesterday," Krassyuk told Pep Talk UK.

"We are now in front of fighting AJ. I think the most probable way it should go now is AJ with Usyk. We didn’t have much time to discuss the options, so the principle location that is under discussion at the moment is Wembley. With all my respect to Saudi Arabia, it might be a little too hot in August over there.

"But if it goes to Saudi Arabia, also happy. If it goes to Ukraine, even more happy! If it goes to any other place in the world, we are happy because we are facing the very best in heavyweights. And this is the best way to prove yourself. I think this week is the deadline for everyone. So end of this week the whole world will know that Fury vs AJ on August 14 is finished.

"And instead of one fight we are getting two fights. AJ is going to fight Usyk and Fury is going to fight Wilder. When I gave [Usyk] a call, he didn’t pick up. I left a message, a short one, like 'Are you ready to face AJ?' and he called me back in half an hour and explained that he was already crossing the English channel on his way to London."

My gut says Usyk would have more than a fair chance here.

As fashionable as it seems to be to predict Usyk, AJ by late stoppage. Usyk won’t make a dent and will have to use a lot of energy staying away while also absorbing murderous shots the like of which he won’t have seen. He might win two or three rounds though.

aj will impale him

it will be a ko with brutality that only chwith eubank could rival

Yeah I think this would be a virtual rerun of the Joshua-Pov fight - AJ looking a bit uncomfortable in the first few rounds, then landing a big shot mid-rounds and winning by stoppage/ko.