Joshua title defence set
The Gypsy King will satisfy his WBO mandatory by taking on Usyk in London
BRITAIN’S Anthony Joshua will defend his World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sept 25, his promoter announced yesterday.
Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) is coming off a devastating knockout victory over Kubrat Pulev, dispatching the Bulgarian in the ninth round at The SSE Arena in Wembley last December.
The 31-year-old was primed to fight fellow Briton and WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to crown an undisputed heavyweight king.
The Gypsy King has been forced into a rematch with Deontay Wilder, with the bout since postponed due to contracting Covid-19.
That trilogy contest was scheduled to take place this weekend but has instead been delayed to Oct 9 in Las Vegas after Fury tested positive for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Joshua will now fulfil his mandatory WBO title defence in London, in what will be the first boxing event staged at the new home of Tottenham Hotspur football club.
Victory could pave the way for a ‘super-fight’ with Fury, provided his compatriot sees off American boxer Wilder in their third meeting after a December 2018 draw was followed by a February 2020 seventh-round technical knockout for the Briton.
By taking on Ukraine’s Usyk, a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion, Joshua will be facing a fellow London 2012 gold medallist.
Joshua was the Olympic champion in the super-heavyweight category at those Games, with Usyk topping the podium in the heavyweight division.
Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs), who knocked out Tony Bellew during his spell in the 200lb division, is among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and has won both of his heavyweight fights since stepping up.
“The date is set and we are fully locked in. 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,” said Joshua in a statement issued by Matchroom Sport
Usyk has won all 18 of his professional contests, 13 inside the distance, but only two of thouse bouts have been as a heavyweight.
“The path will be mastered by the walking one,” said Usyk, who at 34 is three years older than Joshua.
Only some 1,000 fans were able to witness that fight live but Matchroom supremo Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said he was expecting a crowd of more than 60,000 at the 62,850 capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“Olympic gold vs Olympic gold, unified world heavyweight champion vs undisputed cruiserweight world champion this one has it all,” said Hearn.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy welcomed the fight coming to the north London club’s home.
“Anthony Joshua is an icon in the world of sport and to have him fight here in London N17, against a top opponent in Oleksandr Usyk, will be amazing for the area of Tottenham,” he said.
“This event will once again showcase the stadium’s ability to take the hosting of world-class sporting occasions to the next level – we cannot wait for Sept 25.” – AFP/The Independent