Joshua vs. Usyk: Everything You Need To Know

Heavyweight boxing returns this Saturday, as world champion Anthony Joshua puts his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO championships on the line against undefeated challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

The fight, which will take place inside London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, came to be after a proposed unification bout between Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) and WBC champion Tyson Fury, set for this past August in Saudi Arabia, fell through after an arbitrator instructed Fury to honor a rematch clause to Deontay Wilder.

While Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) is not Fury, the Ukrainian nonetheless poses a stiff challenge for Joshua, who is making the second defense of championships he won after beating Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019. Still, Joshua feels like he maintains the upper hand, regardless of who he’s facing.

“I’m not an easy fight for anyone. I like fighting,” the 2012 Olympic gold medalist said during the final press conference before the fight. “ I’m here, I’m blessed, I’m happy and I don’t take anyone for granted. This is my passion for the next X amount of years.”

Usyk, for his part, is a decorated champion in his own right. He is a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, as well as a 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He will be stepping into the ring as a heavyweight for the third time on Saturday, with his last fight being a unanimous decision win over Dereck Chisora last October.

“Every fight makes history and me and Anthony are going to make another piece of history, something people will be talking about,” he said during the news conference.

Joshua, who has a reputation as being an excellent finisher, goes into the fight as a -225 favorite (bet $225 to win $100), according to BetMGM. Usyk’s odds stand at +200 (bet $100 to win $200).

Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, praised both fighters and promised an action-packed fight that will not disappoint.

“The way Usyk has gone to people’s backyards to win belts is incredible,” he said. “The man on my right, however, has the best resume in the recent era of heavyweights. This is the biggest fight of the year. An iconic moment for boxing, an iconic moment for British sport.”

Fans who wish to take in the action will need a subscription to DAZN, which will be airing the fight in the United States in Canada. DAZN is $19.99 a month, or $99.99 for the entire year. The broadcast begins at 1 p.m. ET, with the main event tentatively scheduled for 5:10 p.m. ET