Oleksandr Usyk will defend his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia on Saturday 20 August 2022. Billed as the “Rage on the Red Sea”, the rematch will be held in the coastal city of Jeddah.
In their first clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in September 2021, Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Usyk claimed the belts after winning by a unanimous decision against British fighter Joshua.
Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s sports and entertainment agency Skill Challenge Entertainment (SCEE), said it was a “proud moment” for the kingdom to be hosting the huge rematch. He added: “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 20 August – we look forward to welcoming them.”
Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, 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.”
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