Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 2

[Master]

OLEKSANDR USYK'S preparations for his rematch with Anthony Joshua have been thrown into disarray following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion had been in England this week as talks continue with AJ over a fight date and location for their upcoming bout.

It is believed the dust-up is likely to rake place in late May or June with Tottenham among the frontrunners to host the event.

In a blow for Usyk, the Daily Mail have claimed that he will not be returning to his regular training base just outside of Kiev.

That is due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine after Vladimir Putin declared war on their neighbouring country.

Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk has told the Mail that he has 'no idea' what The Cat will do for his preparations.

And he suggested to them that coming back to Ukraine to train will be 'impossible'.

Usyk could now relocate to Oxnard, California, where he and training partner Vasyl Lomachenko have had camps in the past.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion is back in Ukraine where he has pleaded for 'no war' with Russia.

Posting a video on Instagram captioned 'NO WAR', Usyk wrote: "Some wrote to me that I ran away.

"I didn’t, I was at work but I’m back, I’m home.

"Friends, we have to unite because it’s a hard time right now and I’m really emotional and worry about my country, and our people.

"Friends, we have to stop this war, all of us together."

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will have no impact on Joshua's rematch with Usyk.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/17766...ssia-invasion/

[Mark TKO]

Can’t see this fight happening may or June now.

Usyk will be in Ukraine with other priorities and this thing is not going to be over quickly - if it is over quickly then you dread to think what might have gone down.

[imp]

AJ might beat a mentally down Usyk.

[Master]

ANTHONY JOSHUA could accept an interim bout next with his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in doubt.

The pair are contracted to a second fight this year following Usyk's 12-round upset at Tottenham last September.

But the unbeaten two-weight champion is currently defending Ukraine amid the invasion of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed finding a tune-up opponent for Joshua, 32, is not out of the question if Usyk, 34, is otherwise out of the picture.

So here SunSport runs down six candidates suitable for the job.

Otto Wallin
If AJ is to stay busy he will likely be scouting for a southpaw opponent to help him best prepare for Usyk.

Wallin's profile is big enough to help Joshua sell tickets and pay-per-views - after he gave Tyson Fury 47 stitches in 2019.


He was deemed a low-enough risk for Dillian Whyte, 33, to face last October while the Brit already had a guaranteed shot at Fury, 33.

And although it fell through, Joshua has formerly sparred and boxed lefty Wallin in the amateurs, giving him enough knowledge of the Swede.

Luis Ortiz
The Cuban was once the most feared southpaw in the division, but two losses to Deontay Wilder appear to have taken its toll.

Ortiz, now 42, most recently beat Charles Martin, 35, in January but had to pick himself off the canvas to do so.

He still has massive name value and has an equally tricky style to Usyk.

Joshua came close to fighting Ortiz in 2019 but the contender instead opted to chase a rematch with Wilder.

Zhilei Zhang
At 6ft 6in, the Chinese heavyweight does not cut the same frame as Usyk but is at least a southpaw.

He is also signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing stable, making negotiations easier.

Not only that, Joshua has history with Zhang dating back to their amateur days, winning in the quarter-finals of the 2012 London Olympics.

Zhang, 38, is unbeaten as a professional but in February 2021 drew to Jerry Forrest, giving AJ the confidence the task would not be too risky.

Jerry Forrest
The aforementioned American is the most under the radar of the lot but would certainly offer Joshua some valuable southpaw rounds.

Forrest, 33, has lost to contenders such as Jermaine Franklin, 28, and Carlos Takam, 41, in recent years.

But his two most recent fights were draws, against Zhang and then the highly-touted Michael Hunter, 33.

Joshua could expect a tough enough run-out against Forrest, who has only ever been stopped once.

Joseph Parker
The New Zealander is not a southpaw nor low risk, but Joshua has at least responded to Parker's call for a rematch.

AJ, who beat him in 2018, told Behind The Gloves: "I’ll fight Joseph Parker.

"Do you know what it is? My record shows, it's a fight at the end of the day, what do you want me to do?

"I don't give a f***, I'll fight whoever, whenever, it's only a fight. Do you know what I'm trying to say? So yeah, I'll fight, 100 per cent."

Deontay Wilder
The Bronze Bomber is quite possibly the only big fight Joshua and Hearn would consider taking before a rematch with Usyk.

Their history, opposing styles and recent losses makes the clash a box office blockbuster and arguably as big as anything involving Usyk.

The ex-WBC champ at 36 is yet to confirm whether he will retire or not but it appears clear if he returns it will only be for big fights.

AJ and Wilder could se llout just about any stadium or arena worldwide and would be the biggest fight for either of them to take at this point.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/17829...ainian-russia/

[Master]

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight champion leaves Ukraine to start training

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has left his native Ukraine to prepare for his rematch with Anthony Joshua.

Usyk, 35, has been helping to defend his country from the Russian invasion after enlisting in Ukraine's military.

He beat Joshua in September to become the unified heavyweight champion and is set to face the Briton again in June.

Usyk will now begin his training camp but, contrary to some reports, the BBC understands the camp is not in neighbouring Poland.

April had initially been mentioned as a potential date for the rematch, but Joshua's search for a new trainer and prolonged talks with WBC champion Tyson Fury forced a delay.

After Joshua decided against stepping aside from the fight to face Fury, his promoter Eddie Hearn said May was a target.

But Joshua's bid to win back the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO belts was pushed back further when Russian troops invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

Usyk is one of several former and current Ukrainian boxers who have come to the defence of their homeland.

Three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, 34, has also taken up arms while brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, both former world heavyweight champions, are also in Kyiv.

Vitali, 50, has been mayor of the city since 2014 while Wladimir, 45, joined the city's military reserve last month.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/60850530

[Memphis]

From a purely boxing perspective this is great news. I wouldn't have had a problem with Joshua fighting a Wallin, Wilder or Joyce in the interim. But if Usyk is ready, get to work.

[Mark TKO]

surprised he's left Ukraine. Though he'd feel he should stay. Wonder what others who have to remain think.

Then again a Usyk win could give the nation a bit of a lift - albeit in a very very small way when weighed up against whats going on.

[ykdadamaja]

Joshua is a posing model. He will lose to Usyk again becuse Usyk is a real fighter first, and clown second.

[Master]

Poll added.

[TitoFan]

I have to go Usyk points. Reviewing highlights from the first fight, AJ has nothing that should bother Usyk this time around.

Usyk showed he takes a pretty good punch, probably better than AJ does. Usyk's side to side style is going to forever bother AJ, who only knows backwards and forward. In fact, it was exiting some of these lateral moves that Usyk tagged Joshua a lot of the times. Joshua may try and press early... but I think his survival instincts will kick in so as to not risk a knockout loss. We saw that in Joshua-Ruiz II, where AJ basically was extremely careful not to engage Ruiz and risk another knockout loss. Joshua's hands are too slow for Usyk, who moves in such a way as to absorb whatever power AJ may have. I'm sure Usyk will be the consummate boxer in the first few rounds of the fight, avoiding possible rushes and flurries from AJ. I was tempted to say Usyk by KO... but I think Usyk knows AJ could land a haymaker and change the whole course of the fight. So I'll stick with Usyk points.

[TIC]

aj will lose worse this time

[Master]

Anthony Joshua's highly anticipated rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is to be shown on Sky Sports Box Office - despite the British heavyweight signing a lucrative deal with streaming service DAZN last month.

Sportsmail previously reported the 32-year-old's promoter Eddie Hearn negotiated a £100million deal with DAZN spread over five years - with Joshua turning his back on Sky Sports.

However, as reported by the Telegraph, Sky Sports have won a bidding contest with DAZN to show the bout which takes place on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It's said that Sky Sports have edged out their rivals to show Joshua's attempt at recapturing the world heavyweight titles he lost last year, with a bid worth around £28million.

Joshua and his Ukrainian opponent Usyk are expected to share a purse of at least £100million.

Despite the bout being arguably the most important of Joshua's career, it was not included in his deal with DAZN.

Hearn previously said: 'This fight is outside of the the DAZN deal, the long-term DAZN deal, because the rights are owned by the site effectively, so that'll be negotiated separately.'

After putting pen to paper last month, Joshua said: 'I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster.

'Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division.

'I've been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time. We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years and I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business.

'DAZN's vision and passion to innovate is what attracted me to the partnership. They are leading the digital landscape in sport and the future of sports broadcasting. I am really looking forward to a long and successful partnership.'

Joshua had a separate contract to show his fights exclusively on Sky Sports, but that expired after his first fight against Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

The Watford-born star was then the subject of a bidding war in which he pledged his allegiance to Hearn's new project with DAZN.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...d39e55fac507cc

[Spicoli]

Second time ref blows off rabbit punch..hope he's not working AJ in the main . Filip taking the 8th, a switch has flipped.