In an extraordinary turn of events, the heavyweight giants Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte are set to reignite their intense rivalry in a highly-anticipated rematch at London’s legendary O2 Arena on August 12. This thrilling clash between two British powerhouses is poised to captivate audiences with its electrifying display of skill and determination.
Eight years ago, Joshua, now 33, secured a stunning knockout victory over Whyte during their heated British title fight at the O2, avenging a previous loss suffered in their amateur days. Since then, Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist, has ascended to the pinnacle of the sport, becoming a two-time world champion and an icon in the boxing realm.
Whyte, 36, encountered his own setbacks, including a defeat in his lone world title challenge against Tyson Fury in 2022. However, it was their amateur encounter in 2009, where Whyte emerged triumphant, that sparked the fire of their bitter rivalry. Determined to settle the score once and for all, Whyte declared, “It’s 1-1, so this is the decider.”
“I’ve made it clear that my plan is to be active this year,” asserted Joshua with unwavering confidence. “August 12 is the date—I’ll be ready to fight. I look forward to handling business.” With both fighters hungry for victory, this rematch promises to be an explosive affair that will etch itself into the annals of boxing history.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk is poised to defend his WBO, WBA (Super), and IBF titles against British contender Daniel Dubois. The showdown is scheduled to take place on August 26 at Poland’s remarkable Tarczynski Arena, boasting a capacity of 24,000 spectators.
At 25 years old, Dubois holds the WBA (Regular) belt and boasts an impressive record of 19 wins, with a staggering 18 victories coming by way of knockout. Unfazed by the challenge ahead, Dubois confidently stated, “He is a great fighter, and I do respect him, but it’s my time now. I’m going to shock the world and reveal the true greatness of Daniel Dubois.”
Usyk, a pound-for-pound star, has remained unbeaten in his 20 professional fights and is prepared to make his second defense of the unified title. Reflecting on the significance of the venue, Usyk expressed his joy, stating, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to stage my fight in Poland, where I won my first world title seven years ago.”
Leon Osamor
