BOXING
Usyk and Joshua in heavyweight rematch
August 20, 2022 - British boxer Anthony Joshua is aiming to regain his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world titles against the undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, in a bout staged in Saudi Arabia for a record $80m deal.
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Anthony Joshua had notched up 22 wins since turning professional in 2013, before suffering a shock first defeat of his professional career against Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, New York, in June 2019.
After regaining his titles with a rematch against Ruiz, Joshua defended his belts against Kubrat Pulev before fighting Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021. The Ukrainian produced a masterclass to dethrone the passive Joshua, winning by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
Usyk is an accomplished fighter at cruiserweight, becoming the first man to hold all four divisional belts as undisputed champion, before moving up to heavyweight class -- and winning his first heavyweight bout against Joshua.
The Usyk-Joshua winner will also add Ring Magazine title after the holder Tyson Fury -- fresh from beating Dillian Whyte in an all-British bout -- says he will retire, and vacates the belt.