Soccer
  • Home
  • Boxing
  • Confirmed: Anthony Joshua will face Oleksandr Usyk on September

Confirmed: Anthony Joshua will face Oleksandr Usyk on September 25

AJ, the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight champion, will face 2012's Olympic heavyweight champion in London.

Unified heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world titles on the line against Oleksandr Usyk on September 25.
As revealed by Planet Sport, the bout will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and fans in the UK and Ireland can watch it on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) overcame mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev to score a brutal ninth-round knockout at The SSE Arena, Wembley in December.
The first defence of his second reign as unified heavyweight champion was his first fight on UK soil since he stopped Alexander Povetkin in seven explosive rounds at Wembley Stadium back in September 2018.
'AJ' returns to the capital for his fifth stadium fight looking to create more history as he faces his latest WBO nandatory challenger at the new state of the art home of Spurs, following in the footsteps of Frank Bruno who defeated Joe Bugner in Matchroom Boxing's first Heavyweight promotion at the old White Hart Lane in October 1987.

Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) made the move to the heavyweight division after dominating at cruiserweight. He ended his extraordinary spell at 200lbs as the undisputed king with a phenomenal run of victories against Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew on away territory.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist began his assault on the heavyweight division by retiring Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago in October 2019 and continued his bid to become a two-weight world champion when he outpointed Derek Chisora over 12 rounds at The SSE Arena, Wembley last October.

More than 60,000 fans expected

"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."
Usyk said: "The path will be mastered by the walking one."
Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Sport, said: "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."
Freddie Cunningham, Managing Director, 258MGT, said: "AJ once again shows why he is the number one in the division by defending his belts against the toughest opposition in the rankings. Another UK boxing stadium event and another world's first by staging the fight at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium make this one of the biggest UK sporting events of the year.
"Alexander Krassyuk, General Director, K2 Promotions, said: "This is a huge fight between two gentlemen of the sport. Wow! The two London 2012 Olympic Champions are set to collide for the Heavyweight crowns. Let the best man win, and we will see you again for the rematch!"

More Articles