Usyk vs. Joshua 2

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

With exactly one month to go, tickets for the ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ have gone on sale, enabling fans from around the world to be part of boxing history. The fight is one of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in the history of the sport, with unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk facing off with Anthony Joshua on August 20 in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The fight will take place indoors at King Abdullah Sports City Arena, part of Jeddah’s stunning King Abdullah Sports City which has hosted various international sports and entertainment events including football, WWE and boxing.

Tickets are available from SAR375 and fight fans can get their tickets via Hala Yalla (www.halayalla.com/sa-en/tickets/rage-on-the-red-sea). For VISA entry information, fans should go to Visit Saudi (www.visa.visitsaudi.com) information on how to apply.

Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of SCEE: “We’re one month from one of the biggest sporting moments in our country and today, we invite fans from Saudi Arabia and around the world to witness history. The ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ headlines a dramatic night of World Championship boxing and an evening to remember forever. We’re proud to secure this event for our country as it continues its incredible transformation, inspiring our people to participate in sport and lead happy and healthy lives.”

The ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ will see Usyk’s WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts on the line in a career defining Heavyweight clash. Joshua was dethroned as Heavyweight king by Usyk in September 2021 in front of over 60,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on a memorable evening in boxing’s marquee division.

Usyk said: “I am working hard in my training camp to be in the best shape possible for the rematch. With the help of the Lord I will overcome the biggest challenges to make it happen. I want the crowd to be excited with the fight, I want them to remember it for a lifetime.”

Joshua added: “August 20 is set to be an unbelievable night of Championship level boxing. For any sports fan this is not to be missed, it has all the ingredients to go down in boxing history. Locally I know that boxing has grown massively and it was great to see thousands of people come to Riyadh for the ‘Clash on the Dunes’. I am hoping to see even more in Jeddah in a few weeks’ time.”

The ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ is the latest international sports event to take place in Saudi Arabia, which has recently emerged as one of the fastest transforming countries in world sport. Since the ‘Clash on the Dunes’ between Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, there has been a nearly 300% surge in male and female boxers in the Kingdom, with the number of boxing gyms growing from just seven to 59. As part of the country’s aims to get its people engaged and participating in sport, the Saudi Boxing Federation is aiming to inspire 500,000 in the next four years.

The fight which is held under the patronage of HRH Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions, is a second for Joshua in Saudi Arabia and takes place nearly three years on from the historic ‘Clash on the Dunes’ in Diriyah that saw Joshua reclaim his Heavyweight crowns against Ruiz Jr.

Vision 2030 aims to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors to the Kingdom by developing a vibrant environment for participation and spectatorship in sports and entertainment whilst aiming to transform the Kingdom for a post-hydrocarbon era. The nation has become one of the fastest growing countries in world sport with increased participation levels, investment in elite athletes, a year-round schedule of sport and a rapidly growing commercial sector to support this infrastructure.

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Welcome everyone to London ahead of this huge press conference, this huge moment for the sport, the biggest prize in the sport of boxing – the World Heavyweight Championship. August 20th, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Two Heavyweight icons, Oleksandr Usyk – the reigning World Champion and the defending champion here against the challenger Anthony Joshua – former two-time Heavyweight World Champion. This fight has it all, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in boxing. We look forward to the ‘Rage on the Red Sea’.

Oleksandr Usyk, Unified Heavyweight World Champion:

“I am pleased to be here today. I am very happy to get the opportunity to fight in Saudi Arabia and help open new horizons for the sport of boxing. I love to travel around the world and fight in places for the first time. I am not fighting for money or any recognition. I am just doing my job now and will continue fighting until my heart keeps beating. I am not expecting anything from Anthony Joshua, but I know that he will be different, but so will I.”

Alexander Krassyuk, promoter of Oleksandr Usyk:

“It’s a pleasure to see everyone here at this event. As Egis mentioned, London is a really special city for Usyk. He became the Olympic Champion here and he became the Unified Heavyweight World Champion here. We started our journey with Usyk 9 years ago in the professionals. We did have a lot of fun on our way to success. He became the Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion, he became the Unified Heavyweight Champion. Now his objective is to become Undisputed. We have a very serious man to deal with on August 20th.  The fight takes place in the new destination of sports, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A country that is transforming itself and transforming the world of sports and the world of boxing in particular.”

Egis Klimas, manager of Oleksandr Usyk:

“Good afternoon everybody. Thank you London for having us here. We’re very excited to be here. UK London is Oleksandr’s hometown. He won a gold medal in 2012 here. He had pretty good wins against Tony Bellew, Mr Chisora. He has a lot of fans here in the UK. Thank you for having us here. In Jeddah we saw something different, something interesting, something new for the sport. We were treated like kings there. We did a lot of promo shoots. We can’t wait to go back to Saudi. We want to thank Prince Khalid and thank everyone from Saudi for this event and for supporting this sport and we’re looking forward to August 20th.”

Anthony Joshua, former Unified Heavyweight World Champion:

“It’s hard to say from a head to head who’s going to win a championship fight. So I don’t tend to look into head to heads so deeply, but for some they could think that’s a 1-0 victory. That’s down to opinion anyway. Shout out to everyone in Saudi Arabia as well! It is going to be my second time there; first time was lit and it is going to be even better this time for sure. Going down to the old city was unbelievable. I am sure you have seen some of the videos on social media. Anyone that is going, I am sure you are going to be in for a great time in Saudi Arabia.

“In terms of old AJ, same old G, I’m just doing what I’m doing. Grafting away. It is a rough and tough sport. Fighting these lefties is a nightmare! And I cannot make the same mistake twice. I am hungry and desperate but at the end of the day how I perform will speak.”

Robert Garcia, trainer of Anthony Joshua:

“The whole team, everybody around us, is very positive. We have to do whatever is takes. We have to come out with different strategies in case one doesn’t work. We’ll be ready for the fight. Anthony is listening. He believes in us and that’s the most important thing. In the ring he’s got to come out and do what we tell him to do. Usyk is a great fighter. I’ve known him since a few years back when he came to my gym a few times to train. He’s a very talented fighter. He’s got very different ways to fight. Seeing the size difference, the height, the reach, the weight – everything is in Anthony’s advantage. We’ve got to take advantage of that. We’ve got to train him to focus on that and come fight night do what we need to do to win.”

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

The official countdown to one of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in the history of the sport has started with Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk facing off with Anthony Joshua in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Billed as ‘Rage on the Red Sea’, Usyk vs. Joshua 2 is set to take place in Jeddah on Saturday August 20 with Usyk’s IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts on the line in a career defining Heavyweight clash, and the hype for the much-anticipated rematch is already building.

At the start of a two-city promotional tour across Jeddah and London the two colossals of the sport lined up toe to toe as the sun set above the stunning Red Sea after the duo remained respectful during the first official press conference.

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“It feels fantastic to be back. A welcome of course to everyone here, we want to thank Skill Challenge Entertainment as well for their hard work and everybody for their patience. It’s been a long time making this fight. When there’s a fight the size of this, coming and putting on a production like you guys want to put on, these things take time, so thank you to Egis and Alex, and Oleksandr Usyk as well. Of course, for our team, Anthony Joshua, 258 Management and Robert Garcia. This is all very nice, all very friendly, but we’re only here to win. Honesty, that’s all that matters. Last time in September was very painful, when the great Oleksandr Usyk dethroned Anthony Joshua. We’re here to be pleasant but we’re here to see this man regain those wonderful belts up there on August 20th.

“Well thank you very much and thank you for all attending here today in Jeddah ahead of this huge event, ‘Rage on the Red Sea’, August 20th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It has been a long time coming. Back in 2019 we saw Anthony Joshua rematch Andy Ruiz and regain his World Heavyweight Championships in Riyadh. It was a tremendous event. Of course, the boxing world and the sporting world slowed right down through the COVID pandemic. Now we’re back, long overdue, and we’re delighted to bring what is the biggest fight in the Heavyweight division, one of the biggest fights in world boxing to the Kingdom in August.

“We’re delighted to be joined by not just Team ‘AJ’, with Anthony Joshua, former two-time Heavyweight Champion and his great trainer Robert Garcia. The Champion Oleksandr Usyk, the unified Heavyweight Champion, the former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion, his manager Egis Klimas and his promoter Alex Krassyuk.

“We’ve heard a lot about the growth of boxing here in Saudi Arabia, something that is very important to us as fans of the sport. It’s amazing to bring huge high-profile fights to The Kingdom, but even better to witness the growth of boxing here in The Kingdom, to see these great fighters inspire the next generation. We all know Oleksandr and Anthony are two great examples of what boxing can do for a young person, how it can change and how it can shape their lives. We really believe that boxing is a tremendous way to shape and mould the lives of individuals and to teach them all the things that are in important in life; discipline, respect, fitness, mental well-being, being part of a team and being part of a community. We feel very strongly that boxing can do that.”

Prince Fahad bin Abdulaziz, spokesperson of Skill Challenge Entertainment:

“We want to hold the biggest and best events in Saudi Arabia for our people and for the world to enjoy. We are living in unprecedented era for sporting growth in Saudi Arabia. We are inspiring a new generation and that’s what motivates us.”

Oleksandr Usyk, Unified Heavyweight World Champion:

“I am very happy to be here in Saudi Arabia. It is very pleasant for me and my team. We are doing what we have to do to achieve our goals. I have never made any loud or bright speeches. To become World Champion all I did was work hard in my training camp and gym. That’s what I am going to do until the day of the fight and my boxing will make me happy.”

Alexander Krassyuk, promoter of Oleksandr Usyk:

“Hello everyone. First of all, I want to thank The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the opportunity. It’s a big honour for us to be here. While thinking over the speech for this media event, I looked back at the press conference we had before the first fight, and the last words were, ‘let the best man win and we’ll see you again for the rematch’. Here we are seeing you again for the rematch.

:It’s an absolutely huge event, it’s a big honour to be a part of it. It took us a lot of efforts and will to make it happen. Probably in February and March, we had to face the challenge of war in our country. We were not sure that this fight would take place. But finally, we put ourselves together, we made the decision to get into the fight, and now we are here representing our country Ukraine with pride in our hearts. We are representing out country here in the new destination of sports in the world here in Saudi Arabia. Let the best man win. We’ll see you again for the Undisputed fight.”

Egis Klimas, manager of Oleksandr Usyk:

“First of all, thank you very much for having us. I want to thank Skill Challenge Entertainment, Prince Khalid, Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Boxing Federation for having us here. I’d like to congratulate Matchroom for putting this deal together with K2 Promotions. As far as the rematch is concerned, this bout is very important for both men. Anthony wants to get his belts back; he is with a new team and a new trainer. I know Robert Garcia personally, he trained a couple of my champions before, he is a great great trainer. Anthony did a good jo picking out this trainer. For Oleksandr it’s very important to keep those belts and to go further. It’s a very real possibility that the winner of this bout will go for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship which will be historic. It’s a very important bout. August 20th is going to be another historic day in the sport of boxing.”

Anthony Joshua, former Unified Heavyweight World Champion:

“I just want to say god is good, all the time, even through tough times. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today. Definitely the hunger is still there. As I always said from the get-go, stay hungry. Just keep the motivation high. Blips happen. Things happen in life but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail. We’re still on the road, we’re still on the road to Undisputed for sure. It’s just a little blip in the road but I’m focused on the target which is sitting over there (points to Usyk).

“I’m focused on the goal, god willing I’ll perform, and I’ll become three-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. With Andy Ruiz I think a lot of people can see before the fight things weren’t 100%. You’ve got to be strong, thick skinned; we take our loss like a man. When I win, I keep it moving and I thank everybody. When you lose, you have to stay humble as well in defeat. We kept it moving and I knew I could come back again and do what I have to do.

“The fight with Usyk, he bust my ass for some rounds. I have to take that defeat like a man as well. I hold myself accountable. I’m someone who can admit when I’m wrong and hold my head high when I’m right. The fight in September, he was right, and I was wrong. Simply, I have to reverse that role on August 20th. I don’t like to over complicate the situation because there’s simplicity in genius. Sometimes if you keep things simple you can achieve great things, so I’m just going to keep things simple, move forward and the date will soon come.

“I wish Team Usyk a successful training camp and safe travels wherever they go in the world. Same to my team, Robert has been great in the camp, my staff at the back there as well that have been helping me in my training camp. I wish all of us well. I wish you guys a safe few weeks and I can’t wait to see you all again in the stadium for a great night of Heavyweight Championship boxing.”

Robert Garcia, trainer of Anthony Joshua:

“First of all, thank you all for being here. Thanks for having us. I want to congratulate Usyk and his team for all of the success they had. They’re great people and a great team. I started coming to the UK in December, I’ve been coming back and forth to England to work with Anthony. I see a different Anthony now; the way he thinks and the way he talks. Everything he’s practising and everything he’s doing in the gym; I think he fought the wrong fight but that’s the past. That happened already. Usyk was the better man, congratulations to him, but come August 20 we’re going to do whatever it takes to win those titles back. I know he can do it.

“He’s the bigger man, he’s the stronger man, he’s got the reach advantage, so we’re going to take advantage of all that. Come that day, I think without a doubt we’re going to have a three-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. We’ve got to be prepared for everything. Usyk is a great fighter, he’s got skills, reflexes, accuracy – he’s got everything. I think Anthony has the tools to beat him. We just have to do the things in the gym.

“He wants to be champion again. Like I said before, I have no doubt that on August 20th he will be champion again. With the dedication that he has and the hard work that he puts in in the gym, it motivates me also to put more into the training camp and to come out with the win because I know how much he wants it. I want my first Heavyweight Champion of the World. I’ve had 14 World Champions, he will be my 15th, but he will be my first Heavyweight Champion of the World and that’s big for me too.”

Abdullah Eid, President of the Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation:

“There is a massive focus on the youth of this country. We want our people to see the stars and get active in the sports they watch. We want our young people to participate. To lead healthy lives. From trainers, to coaches and referees, from gyms offering boxing for exercise, everything is focused on increasing participation.”

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course. Sign up HERE for Usyk vs. Joshua 2 bulletins and ticket updates.

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua will come face to face at a launch press conference in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today ahead of their huge rematch in the coastal city on Saturday August 20.

The press conference will begin at 5.30pm local time (3.30pm BST) and will be available to watch live on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course. Sign up HERE for Usyk vs. Joshua 2 bulletins and ticket updates.

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2022

Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles on the line against Anthony Joshua in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 20.

One of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in the history of the sport, Usyk vs. Joshua 2, billed ‘Rage on the Red Sea’, will take place nearly three years on from the historic ‘Clash on the Dunes’ event at the Diriyah Arena that saw Joshua reclaim his Heavyweight crowns against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Under the patronage of HRH Mohammad bin Salman and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once more as ‘AJ’ aims to exact revenge over Usyk and take his place back at the top of the Heavyweight division.

Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) was dethroned as Heavyweight King by Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Usyk in September 2021 in front of over 60,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on a memorable evening in boxing’s marquee division.

Since the pair’s first meeting, former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) has gained further global attention after putting the rematch on hold to support his home nation on the front line during their ongoing conflict.

Usyk said: “I have a goal, with the help of the Lord I will complete my mission!”

“What a roller coaster journey, fighting for the Heavyweight Championship of the World for the 12th consecutive time,” said Joshua. “I won the belt, unified the division won another belt, lost the belts, became two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion and now have my date with history set to become three-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. What an opportunity

“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.

“Thank you to the organisers, to 258MGT, Matchroom Boxing and to all the boxing fans across the world, with a special shout out to the Ukrainian fans who have been through a really tough time.”

Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of SCEE, said: “This is another proud moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bringing the biggest rematch in global boxing to our great country. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are both brilliant champions with different stories, skills and styles and the whole world will watch them go head-to-head in the ring on August 20 – we look forward to welcoming them.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing, said: “We are thrilled to get one of the biggest Heavyweight rematches in boxing history made and give Anthony Joshua the chance to reclaim what he lost in London last September. Everything is on the line for this Unified World Heavyweight Championship bout and it could not be a bigger contest. We know Oleksandr Usyk is a great fighter and we saw that last time out, but I know Anthony Joshua is more determined than ever. It was a huge success to host Anthony Joshua’s contest with Andy Ruiz Jr. in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019 and we are looking forward to working with the country again to stage this historic event. So, no doubt all eyes of the world will be on the ring come Saturday August 20th. This is a story of redemption, and the countdown starts now.”

Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s Promoter, said: “The rematch is on the way. The fight will be much bigger and more spectacular than the first. It is new history in the making. Being a part of this event is a huge honour. Our country is now fighting for its heritage. Our mission is to expand its legacy. With the help of the Lord we will achieve this.”

Freddie Cunningham, Managing Director, 258MGT, said: “We are on the verge again of another huge moment in boxing history and the career of Anthony Joshua. Since turning professional Anthony has never shied away from anything, he has taken every challenge and actively looked for the biggest fights against the best in his division. This is his opportunity to become a Three Time Heavyweight Champion of the World and he will put everything into achieving this amazing feat. A big thank you to our team at 258 MGT, SCEE, Matchroom Boxing and everyone who has helped put this together.”

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course. Sign up HERE for Usyk vs. Joshua 2 bulletins and ticket updates.

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If you like what we do and you wish to support us, please consider a one-off donation, however big or small. It helps us to continue our work and sustains our future. All safe and via PayPal…just click the PayPal image below:

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