Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 Preview & Picks
Oleksandr Usyk is tipped to win his heavyweight rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Usyk outclassed Joshua and shook off his best power punches on the way to a decision win in 2021.
Joshua’s tactics were all wrong, but it is tough to see what adjustments he can make to get revenge.
- Oleksandr Usyk has a perfect 19-0 professional record
- Oleksandr Usyk has won 2 of his 3 heavyweight fights by decision
- Oleksandr Usyk has won 4 of his last 6 fights via decision
- Oleksandr Usyk was advised not to chase the knockout in the first fight
Head To Head
- Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision in September 2021
Oleksandr Usyk Form
Oleksandr Usyk boasts a perfect record as he prepares to defend his world heavyweight titles for the first time.
The 35-year-old Ukrainian did not turn professional until 2013 but he immediately went on a tear in the cruiserweight division.
Within three years he became a world champion when he beat Krzysztof Glowacki by unanimous decision.
A year later Usyk entered the World Boxing Super Series, knocking out Marco Huck and besting Mairis Briedis over 12 rounds to reach the final.
He then earned a decision win over Murat Gassiev to become the tournament winner and undisputed cruiserweight world champion.
Usyk made one successful defence of his crown, knocking out Tony Bellew in the eighth round, before stepping up to heavyweight.
Chazz Witherspoon retired after the seventh round and Usyk then outpointed Derek Chisora to secure a shot at Anthony Joshua.
He took his big chance, claiming a well-deserved unanimous decision win to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles.
Usyk has not fought since, having joined the Ukrainian military to fight the Russian invasion, but he has been given the green light to resume his career this summer.
Usyk returns with a perfection 19-0 record, with 13 of his victories coming via stoppage.
Anthony Joshua Form
Anthony Joshua is bidding to become a three-time world champion when he returns to the ring.
Joshua enjoyed a rapid rise up the heavyweight ladder after turning professional in October 2013.
In his 16th professional fight he challenged Charles Martin for the IBF world title, and he needed less than two rounds to take out the American.
That victory was followed by a seventh-round stoppage of Dominic Breazeale and third-round finish of Eric Molina, setting up a huge Wembley showdown with Wladimir Klitschko.
Joshua was rocked and knocked down during an epic contest, but he gutted it out to stop Klitschko in the 11th round.
That victory earned AJ the WBA (Super) and IBO titles for his collection, and he went on to successfully defend his belts three more times.
The run included a decision victory over Joseph Parker that saw Joshua add a fourth belt to his CV – the WBO heavyweight title.
Joshua signed up for his US debut in 2019, but he experienced a nightmare night at Madison Square Garden.
He was floored multiple times by late stand-in Andy Ruiz Jr before the referee stepped in during the seventh round.
Joshua responded with an emphatic decision win in the rematch several months later, and he then knocked out Kubrat Pulev in his first defence of his newly reclaimed crowns.
However, Joshua’s career stalled again after that, and although it was an upset it was not nearly as embarrassing as the Ruiz Jr loss.
AJ suffered a decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, leaving his professional record at 24-2, with 22 knockout wins and one KO loss.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 FAQs
Where can I watch the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 live stream?
You can watch the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 live stream by using DAZN.
Where is Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 taking place?
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 is taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, August 20.