The promoter of British heavyweight Anthony Joshua Eddie Hearn announced the date of his client’s fight with Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik. During a live broadcast on Instagram Hearn said that Usik and Joshua will contest the WBA Super, IBF and WBO titles on September 25. The manager added that the meeting is very likely to take place in London.
In December 2020, Joshua knocked out Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev and defended the WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO titles. Usik is the holder of the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight belt, he won the title in October 2020 against Derek Chisora.
What happened in the heavyweight division these days?
So, Wilder and Fury have agreed to fight. Both have signed a contract for a third bout. The fight will most likely happen on July 24th. But before this legal deal could derail the unification bout in the heavyweight division between Tyson and Joshua, Gypsy King’s plans were clear. But Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, was confused.
At first, he thought that his company’s top star would fight the Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usyk. But now Hearn says that instead of fighting him, Joshua might just leave the WBO belt vacant. As long as negotiations go well and no one tries to be too tricky, they can negotiate the fight automatically. I worked with Usyk’s manager Oleksandr Krasiuk in the last three fights of the Ukrainian. Everything was okay enough. So if everything is okay, the fight will take place.”
Joshua: I have to beat Usyk because I have no other choic
WBA, WBO and IBF cruiserweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) talked about his fight with Alexander Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs).
According to the Briton, he is only focused on defeating the Ukrainian boxer.
“I have to defend my titles. I’ll be training with Ben Whittaker and the British team, getting ready for a championship fight while these guys are getting ready for the Olympics. I’ll beat Usyk, because I have to, I have no other option.”
“Next, I’ll go to the next absolute title fight. So I’m back on track for the absolute title, and I support the Olympic guys. Hopefully my next fight will be for the absolute title. In 2021 and 2022 there will be a lot of attention on the boxing arena,” Joshua is quoted by TalkSport as saying.
It is a big challenge for Anthony Joshua to fight Usyk
The trainer of American heavyweight Deontay Wilder, Malik Scott, had expectations for the fight between world champion Anthony Joshua and challenger Alexander Usyk. The specialist warned “A.J.” not to underestimate the Ukrainian boxer. “Usyk is a dangerous challenge for everyone, not only for Joshua. We have to commend Anthony for taking this fight.” Usyk is not the person people would want to face in a boxing match because he’s so dangerous!
Usyk has developed in fights with the most dangerous opponents. It’s a big challenge for Anthony. It will be interesting to see how Usyk reacts to Joshua’s size and technicality. And also how Anthony will react to Usik’s speed and the fact that he’s left-handed,” Boxing Scene quotes Scott as saying.
Bookmakers odds
Some people are betting on the heavyweight title fight. The favorite is Anthony Joshua, and his odds are 1.44. Alexander Usik’s odds are 3.00, but he has only had two fights in the weight class before this one against someone who has ruled for a long time. Joshua is taller than Usik and also stronger; these things make up for Usik’s better skills because this is his first fight in the weight class.
We can’t predict who will win the Joshua vs Usyk fight
This person thinks the chances of Usyk are higher than on paper. But they think it is best not to bet money because of Alexander. So far, the Ukrainian has not adapted to heavyweight boxing. It might be that he doesn’t have enough fighting activity or that he is in a decline in form. After all, he has fought a lot more as an amateur than as a professional boxer.
Besides, Usyk is not a natural heavyweight. The big problem for Alexander will be the British jab. Anthony has a 10 centimeter advantage in the ‘riches,’ and he definitely knows how to use it. If the champion doesn’t get tired, as it happened before, he won’t miss victory.
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