By Gabriel Princewill-
Anthony Joshua’s long -awaited fight with Alegsander Usyk has finally been agreed for Saudi Arabia on August 20. Joshua is expected to make an estimated £100m for the big fight
The timing of the fight is not ideal, coming four months after Tyson Fury beat Dillian Whyte in April. Considering the fact Fury overcame Deontey Wilder in October, a month after Joshua lost his titles to Usyk in Wembley, the Londoner should have fought by now. Usyk is the odds on favourite with the bookmakers to win the rematch in August.
It means Joshua would have fought just once in a whole year, without the opportunity to shake off any potential rust from his last lacklustre performance last September.
Much of the delay of putting the rematch together was due to Usyk returning to his native Ukraine to fight for his country, following the invasion by Russia.
Usyk was eventually given special dispensation to begin preparations for the rematch, but the contest was further delayed by the pursuance of the most lucrative deal by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, for the big and highly anticipated clash. Hearns claims he needed to generate maximum yields for Usyk- the new unbeaten champion.
Joshua will be under immense pressure to deliver a stunning knock out victory, in order to achieve one of the most impressive come backs in heavyweight history. With the wisdom of new trainer, Robert Garcia added to his corner, coupled with that of Angel Fernandez, the powerful Londoner will be expected to force a remarkable stoppage and regain the titles he lost which also saw his reputation dissipated in a flash after the one sided boxing lesson by the supreme boxer, who had only recently made the transition from cruiserweight to heavyweight.
August’s match is a must win fight for Joshua, a second defeat will surely spell the end of Joshua’s lucrative career which started impressively and had most boxing fans behind him. There will be no where for him to go except to disappear into the abyss and enjoy the multi-millions he has garnered in a 24 fight career, but without the fulfilment of finishing on top.
Usyk won the pair’s first contest on points, nearly stopping Joshua in the final round; the Londoner’s stock subsequently plummeting significantly. The unbeaten former cruiserweight king will be equally determined to repeat the conquest, and establish himself an icon of sorts
Usyk schooled Joshua In September clash Image: skysports.com
Joshua described his recent career as a “roller-coaster” and said: “Fighting 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. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.”
A victory for Joshua will raise the clamour for a unification with Wbc champion, Tyson Fury, widely regarded as the best but who has announced his retirement. Fury’s claim to be the greatest that ever lived will take a back seat in the event he turns down an opportunity to unify the belts against a three time world champion. In fact there are already critics suggesting Fury’s retirement is an excuse to avoid the risk of being stopped by the unfancied Joshua should he rediscover himself and destroy Usyk in phenomenal fashion.”