The time for talking is over. With a new trainer, Anthony Joshua has arrived in Saudi Arabia with a goal to reclaim his status as heavyweight champion. Oleksandr Usyk, however, will look to halt any aspirations Joshua has. The Ukrainian is ready to defend the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Joshua on August 20.
King Abdullah Sports City will be the location of the fight.
Usyk made his pro debut in 2013 after winning a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. The Ukrainian won the 2017-18 World Boxing Super Series tournament, beating Marco Huck and Mairis Briedis for the WBC and WBO cruiserweight title, and Murat Gassiev in the final for the WBA, IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles. Usyk moved up to heavyweight in 2019. After beating Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, he overcame Joshua via unanimous decision last September to become the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion.
A few months ago, Usyk paused his fighting career and fought in Ukraine against Russian aggression. He was eventually able to leave Ukraine in order to prepare for this fight. Fighting in Ukraine and preparing for this bout was grueling, but Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, has been impressed with the champion’s drive.
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Usyk vs. Joshua 2
“When we watched Usyk’s videos from the training camp, we realized that he looks like a cyborg. He went through hell in the training camp in the last three months. It did not kill him but it made him even stronger. I’ve never seen him more determined than now,” Krassyuk stated. “Not many champions in the world can share their experience going through the war and making their way to the ring to defend their Heavyweight crown. It was an extremely complicated challenge for him, but he seems to have passed it.”
Joshua will look to become a three-time heavyweight champion. This is his second time fighting in Saudi Arabia. After losing the heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, Joshua beat him in the Diriyah Arena to win them back. Joshua is looking to go 2-0 in championship rematches, thanks to new trainer Robert Garcia.
“Preparations have been tough, but I like the pressure. Robert Garcia, Angel Fernandez, members of my previous team as well; they’ve been pushing me, challenging me, ensuring I stay focused, and positioning me to get the job done and emerge victorious come Saturday night,” Joshua stated.
The Sporting News will be providing live coverage of Usyk vs. Joshua 2. Stay tuned!
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 live results, highlights
Coverage of Usyk vs. Joshua 2 begins at 12 p.m. ET with the undercard bouts.
Daniel Lupin vs. Jozef Jurko – round four
One of the novelties of this fight taking place in a largely empty arena is that you can hear the thud all the more clearly when fights land. Lupin just landed a body shot that sounded like an axe hitting a tree.
Jurko, understandably, is riled, growling as he charges Lupin towards a corner and tries to connect with a barrage of willing but untidy attempts.
Daniel Lupin vs. Jozef Jurko – round three
Jurko wants to find a way through but there are shades of Tyson Fury’s opponents as he toils to move within the range he would like and eats more than one vicious shot along the way.
Toughman Jurko has never been stopped and has won nine of his 16 fights, but is clearly tiring as he sits in the corner. This is his seventh fight in 13 months, so he’s clearly durable.
Daniel Lupin vs. Jozef Jurko – round two
A devotee of Usyk, Lupin clearly would not object if Jurko did come forward recklessly. The giant has never lost a round and does not look like doing so here.
In the building: @ramlaali 👊#AliNova #UsykJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/0laNl4w1tK
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 20, 2022
Daniel Lupin vs. Jozef Jurko – round one
Lupin is a 6ft 6in Ukrainian light-heavyweight who was born in Poland and grew up in Crimea. The 25-year-old’s huge reach has immediately caused problems for Jozef Jurko, his opponent known as ‘The Slovakian Bulldog’ who has shown ample aggression and appears to be shouting at Lupin in an attempt to incite a more toe-to-toe scrap.
Jurko cannot connect when he steps in, while Lupin is attacking from distance and using his movement to damaging effect, often evading the guard with his left hand.
Traycho Georgiev beats Rashed Belhasa (UD)
Well, that was an entertaining start to today’s action. After a fight in which both boxers freely threw haymakers and chased each other around the ring, Bulgarian Traycho Georgiev earns the first win of his career at the fourth attempt against celebrity opposition!
Georgiev was taking on Rashed ‘Money Kicks’ Belhasa, the YouTube and social media sensation who was making his debut. Belhasa has more than 2.1 million followers and was awarded a 39-37 win on one of the judge’s cards.
Traycho Georgiev gets the win via split decision over Rashed ‘Moneykicks’ Belhasa in our opener 👀 #UsykJoshua2 #RageOnTheRedSea pic.twitter.com/D8Ii34iRC8
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 20, 2022
When is Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2?
- Date: August 20 | August 21 in Australia
- Main card: 12 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. BST | 2 a.m. AEST
- Main event: 5:15 p.m. ET | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7:15 a.m. AEST (Approximately)
Usyk vs. Joshua 2 will take place on August 20. The main card will start at 12 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. BST | 2 a.m. AEST. Usyk and Joshua should make their way to the ring around 5:15 p.m. ET | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7 a.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 roundtable
How to watch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2
- U.S., Canada, Australia: DAZN
- U.K.: Sky Sports Box Office
In most countries globally, including the U.S., Canada and Australia, the fight will be streamed on DAZN.
However, Sky Sports Box Office won the rights to the fight in Joshua’s home territory (U.K.).
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 PPV price: How much does the card cost?
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 in the U.S., $20 in Canada, $13.99 AUD
- DAZN annual subscription: $99.99 in the U.S., $150 in Canada
In the United States, Canada and Australia, and most territories globally, the fight will air on DAZN, but it will not be via PPV.
- Sky Sports Box Office: £26.95 in the U.K.
Fight fans in the UK will have to stump up £26.95, a £2 increase on the price Sky Sports set for AJ and Usyk’s initial encounter.
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Usyk vs. Joshua 2
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 fight card
- Oleksandr Usyk (c) vs. Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
- Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang; IBF heavyweight title eliminator
- Callum Sith vs. Mathieu Bauderlique; WBC light-heavyweight title eliminator
- Badou Jack vs. Richard Rivera
- Tyrone Spong vs. Andrew Tabiti
- Ramla Ali vs. Crystal Garcia Nova
- Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko
- Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jose Alatorre
- Money Kicks vs. Kyle Paevie
- Ben Whittaker vs. Peter Nosic