ANTHONY JOSHUAโS REMATCH with Oleksandr Usyk has been confirmed for August 20 with Saudi Arabia the chosen venue for the world heavyweight title fight.
The British boxer will be attempting to win back the WBA, IBF and WBO titles that he lost in September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Usyk won the first contest between the pair on points with the judges scoring the fight 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 in favour of the Ukrainian in London.
A rematch clause was immediately activated but Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine in February cast doubt over when former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk would be next back in the ring.
Usyk, 35, returned to Ukraine to fight for his country but was given special dispensation to leave and start preparations for this bout months later with a date and venue now finally confirmed.
๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ @usykaa & @anthonyjoshua run it back Aug 20 for the unified World Heavyweight Championship ๐ #UsykJoshua2 #RageOnTheRedSea pic.twitter.com/kPeqISFRzn
โ Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 19, 2022
The Jeddah Super Dome, which is a 35,000-seater venue, will host the contest and 32-year-old Joshua has made changes in pursuit of becoming world heavyweight champion for a third time.
Long-serving trainer Rob McCracken has moved on and Robert Garcia has been added to his corner to work alongside Angel Fernandez, who was already in place.
It will mark Joshuaโs second fight in the kingdom after he wrestled back his world titles with a points win over Andy Ruiz Jr in Riyadh in December 2019.
Joshua described his recent career as a โroller-coasterโ and added: โFighting 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.
โA happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.โ
So so proud of you Sรฉan, itโs been a joy to watch you grow up and become the man are today x
Disappointed insurance hasnโt been sorted out these days. Whatโs it going to takeโฆ
Best of luck with whatever you do. Your story needs to be told to all young players out there who dream of nothing more than football there has to be a back up plan just in case it all goes belly up. Poor form on the club and the insurance too and the response from the FAI well say no more. There should a player welfare officer for LOI players for issues like this..
@Jill Elliott: There is a new excellent player welfare manager with the PFAI to hopefully tackle some of the issues and provide awareness and guidance to players on career pathways. This lad would be brilliant to speak to players in our league to highlight the realities of playing football in Ireland. Longer term the FAI needs to provide player welfare and assistance to all players.
@Jill Elliott: There is an excellent new player welfare manager with the PFAI who will be tackling these issues and provide guidance and expertise to players. This lad would be brilliant to be brought out to talk to players in our league to highlight the good and the stark realities of playing football in Ireland. Long term the FAI needs to have a player welfare and education role for all players here and abroad.
I have to say Sean , as a limerick man Iโm surprised that you being a dub has got involved in a schoolboy team , u 13 s In limerick , not that itโs a bad thing . I urge you to keep faith in what you love , the rest will follow.I have great admiration for what your dad Martin did for soccer in limerick , his philosophy lacked a plan B ,and off the field he had problems , and so did pat o Sullivan . Limerick is a proud city and a great sporting city , lovely to have you aboard .2021 will be a new chapter for soccer in this city , watch this space .hail , hail .
Youโll have long term effects of your first ACL whether you get a second one done or not.
Sorry but it is a fickle career so what did he expect, the pressure on these young men is outrageous!
@Carol Cunningham: nice sentiments
@Carol Cunningham: what an omlette you are
The best league in the world
Use your experiences to help others in the football world. It will make a huge difference. Use your ideas about guidance to get the PFAI to start helping others. Get all your coaching badges as I believe you will make a great coach. Best wishes.