Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has the chance to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk and become a three-time heavyweight champion. But double defeat to the Ukrainian, who won last September, leaves AJ’s stock at an all-time low.

🥊 AJ vs Usyk 2 date, live stream and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
Joshua, 32, was bettered over 12 rounds but has since changed trainers and vowed to come in with an all-new style.
Whereas Usyk, 35, appears to have bulked up in preparation for the rematch on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Here, SunSport runs down how the two compare and where the fight will be won and lost.
Speed
AJ is renowned for his hand speed, especially when he puts shots together in combinations.
But Usyk has the slicker feet and moves like a man much smaller in size.
Speed is a key factor for both men and could shape how the bout develops.
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk on pointsCredit: PA
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Power
Joshua is the harder puncher on paper, but it was Usyk who did the greater damage last year.
AJ opted to try and outbox the southpaw at range but in the rematch he must throw in numbers and try to hit and hurt.
Usyk was only a punch or two away from stopping Joshua last time and if he senses the Londoner tiring, he should put the pressure on.
Anthony Joshua was almost stopped by Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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Experience
There isn’t too much to separate the two in experience, Joshua has had 26 fights compared to Usyk’s 19.
But the two-weight world champ had 350 amateur bouts, meanwhile AJ only started boxing aged 18.
Although he has had 11 world titles bout, compared to Usyk’s eight, and has had a rematch before in the pro ranks, whereas his rival hasn’t.
Oleksandr Usyk had 350 amateur fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Record
Usyk is unbeaten in his 19 bouts, stretching across two divisions having reigning as undisputed at cruiserweight.
Joshua has been in world title fights since 2015 and is the more experienced heavyweight boxer.
But Usyk’s extensive amateur career, where he faced all sizes and styles, has proven pivotal in his success as a pro.
Anthony Joshua is a two-time heavyweight championCredit: Getty
Physique
AJ is notably the bigger man, weighing 17st 2lb while Usyk came in at 15st 11lb.
But Usyk appears much heavier this time around and Amir Khan claimed he weighs TWO STONE more after they linked up in Dubai.
Joshua must use his size to better affect this fight, doubling up his jab and hammering away to both head and body.
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk weighing inCredit: AP More

TYSON FURY has been set a deadline by the WBC to confirm his retirement or else be stripped of his championship belt. Fury first announced he was walking away from boxing in April after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, left, next to Tyson FuryCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
But he remains linked with a fight against either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, who rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Fury, 34, even claimed he was coming back to face Derek Chisora, 38, in an unlikely trilogy bout, despite his prior wins in 2011 and 2014.
Although just two days later, Fury spoke out to say he was retiring for good and even vacated his Ring Magazine belt after doing so.
He is yet to do the same with his WBC title but has until August 26 to notify the governing body of his decision.
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WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Izquierdazo: “We had a conversation with his promoter and we gave him ten days, until 26th (August), so they can send us a written confirmation of his final decision.
“With that, we can proceed to address the situation with the belt. We will wait until August 26th.
“That is our deadline to have a formal confirmation of their final decision.
“We have no rush. He has been a big hero inside the ring and out of it.”
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Sulaiman added: “If he confirms his retirement, we will have a big celebration for Tyson Fury.
“He decided to say goodbye to boxing, despite being in the peak of his career.
“He has a beautiful family, he is enjoying life, and he still has a lot to give inside the ring and out of it.”
Joshua, 32, rematches Usyk, 35, on Saturday in Saudi Arabia following his loss last September.
Both Fury’s promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren have said their man will await the winner before returning.
And Warren recently told talkSPORT: “At the end of the day, if that’s what he wants to do, that’s his right to do it.
“You know, he was actually looking forward to fighting last week, he was actually talking about fighting but that’s how he feels at the moment.
“If that’s how he feels, that’s how it is, we’ve all got to support what he’s doing.

🥊 AJ vs Usyk 2 date, live stream and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
“I spoke to him a few times last week and he told me he’s weighing exactly what he was weighing for his last fight against Dillian Whyte – that’s how hard he’s training.”
Ahead of AJ’s rematch with Usyk, Warren added: “Whoever wins that fight, everyone will want to see him fight Tyson.
“If Tyson wants to do it, he will. If he doesn’t, he won’t.”
Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their Saudi Arabia rematchCredit: Mark Robinson More

EDDIE HEARN slammed “insecure” Tyson Fury for trying to take the “spotlight” away from Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua’s fights for the chance to win back the WBA, IBF and WBO titles on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia and potentially save his career.
Tyson Fury confirmed his retirement from boxingCredit: GETTY
Eddie Hearn blasted Tyson Fury as ‘insecure’Credit: The Mega Agency
But it comes after Fury reaffirmed his decision to retire, despite claiming that he was going to return only two days earlier.
AJ’s promoter Hearn fumed at the timing and believes the Gypsy King is trying to hog the heavyweight limelight.
He told iFL TV: “Someone told me that Tyson Fury has announced his retirement again.
“He must be so insecure to have to do this every time AJ fights.
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“I don’t know at what point you must sit there and go, ‘What I am going to do is talking s*** to get publicity and try and take the spotlight away from AJ’.
“You are self-proclaimed the number one heavyweight in the world so what are you bothered about Anthony Joshua before.
“He doesn’t want the money and has no interest in it, but also wants half a billion.
“I have never seen so many contradictions, I contradict myself so much but he is on another level.

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“Let’s see what happens next week and watch Anthony Joshua knock out Usyk and then he is coming for Tyson Fury.”
Fury, 34, first announced he was walking away from boxing after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, in April at Wembley.
But the door was left open for a comeback to challenge the winner between Joshua, 32, and Usyk, 35, who won the first fight last September.
Fury even claimed he was in talks for an unlikely trilogy with Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat in 2011 and 2014.
Although the unbeaten heavyweight has now vacated his Ring Magazine belt, which will now be on the line come Saturday.
The WBC have also given Fury until August 26 to confirm whether or not he wants to vacate his world title.
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: GETTY More