Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk Is Official For September 25
Anthony Joshua is set to put his IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight championships on the line against Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on September 25.
The match-up has been in the works ever since ‘AJ’ saw a potential undisputed fight with Tyson Fury fall through earlier this year.
Usyk, who is looking to make good on his WBO mandatory shot, didn’t have much to say following the announcement. However, the Ukrainian did suggest Joshua would get knocked out in September.
“The path will be mastered by the walking one,” Usyk said.
Joshua was happy to be fighting in front of his home crowd once again.
“The date is set and we are fully locked in,” Joshua said. “September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 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.
“The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue. The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”
Eddie Hearn was excited to be promoting a monumental fight between two of the best heavyweights on the planet.
“Olympic Gold vs. Olympic Gold, Unified World Heavyweight Champion vs. Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion this one has it all and I can’t wait to stage this huge event in front of over 60,000 at the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25,” Hearn said.
The chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, Daniel Levy, was delighted to be bringing a heavyweight title fight to his stadium,
“This is a huge occasion for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,” Levy said. “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. 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 September 25.”
The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office and could well represent the final Joshua fight broadcast on the channel.
Adam Smith, the head of boxing development at Sky, said: “Anthony Joshua is back, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in an epic evening of world heavyweight title action on September 25. We’ve followed Anthony Joshua’s enthralling journey since the very start – and now Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk stands in the way of AJ’s ultimate ambition of becoming an undisputed world champion.
“The unbeaten Usyk is returning to the city where he struck gold at the same Olympic Games as AJ and we know him well from that dramatic win over Tony Bellew and a breathless battle with Derek Chisora. I couldn’t be more delighted after working for two years to secure a spectacular heavyweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a stunning backdrop for fight fans as Joshua vs. Usyk lights up London.”
Who do you think wins on September 25? Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk?
