All the latest information ahead of the highly anticipated rematch
Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title rematch against Oleksandr Usyk has reached “final negotiations” with Saudi Arabia and London identified as the two potential hosts by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua will attempt to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO belts that he lost last September in “late June or July” according to Hearn, although July 23 is now the probable date for the championship contest.
A formal announcement is expected in the next two weeks, with negotiations proceeding after Usyk’s departure from Ukraine where he has been stationed on the country’s frontline following the Russian invasion. But Telegraph Sport understands that Saudi Arabia remains the frontrunner heading into the closing stages of talks.
“We are in final negotiations with a couple of sites for either the end of June or early-mid July,” outlined Hearn. “I reckon within two weeks we will have news on where it will be. There is still a UK option but we don’t really need proper negotiations for the UK, we can just book it.”
Hearn’s intimation on Friday clearly points to the favoured venue for the fight – in which Joshua will attempt to become a three-time world champion – being the Middle East, with a reported site fee of £92 million having been tabled.
Joshua regained the belts from Andy Ruiz at the purpose-built 15,000 Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia in December 2019, having lost to the Mexican-American six months earlier in New York, when he was stopped in the seventh round. For his points victory over Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, Joshua earned a reported £50 million, and is set to earn a similar amount for his second fight with Usyk.
Where the contest will be shown in the UK is also yet to be decided. Sky Box Office have been Joshua’s go-to broadcaster since the 32-year-old became a world champion, but Hearn suggested that it was not yet confirmed for this fight.
“It depends [for Sky] but DAZN are definitely in the mix, it depends on the deal because some vary in terms of the rights,” said Hearn, all of whose Matchroom Boxing events are tied up with the over-the-top streaming platform DAZN.
“You could do a deal where the site could control certain rights on the fight. We have had a great relationship between Sky and AJ and those negotiations continue at the moment. DAZN could obviously love to procure Anthony Joshua to the platform, as would other broadcasters as well. I think it is just a case of confirming the AJ vs Usyk deal first and then securing the broadcaster to follow.”
What is it?
A world heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk for the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.
When is it?
July 2022 is when the fight is likely to take place.
Where is it?
Should the fight go ahead, Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the venue of their first encounter, are battling against interest from Saudi Arabia to stage the bout.
How to watch Joshua-Usyk II on TV
Joshua’s recent fights have been broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office pay-per-view and it is highly likely to be the same again.