Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

Saudi Arabia could host Usyk-Joshua

Saudi Arabia could host Usyk-Joshua

Saudi Arabia could host the Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua rematch in late June, according to the Ukrainian's promoter Alexander Krassyuk.

Oleksandr Usyk (left) beat Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision in September

Usyk is set to face Briton Joshua after beating him last year to be crowned unified heavyweight champion.

"Saudi is the place we are in discussions with at the moment," Krassyuk told BBC Sport.

"Late June is the date we are looking at. Nothing has been confirmed on paper. We are working on it."

While Saudi Arabia is believed to be the front runner, Krassyuk has not ruled out the rematch taking place elsewhere.

"There are other options but we take it step by step," he added.

A fight in Saudi Arabia is likely to provoke controversy, with the country accused of investing in sport and using high-profile events to 'sports wash' its reputation in other parts of the world amid concerns over its human rights record.

Joshua could return to Saudi Arabia having regained his world title belts by beating Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr in the capital Riyadh in December 2019, after being knocked out by the Mexican in a shock knockout defeat six months earlier.

Usyk won the WBA, WBO and IBF belts from Joshua on a unanimous points decision at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

The rematch with Joshua, 32, had initially been targeted for May but was pushed back after Usyk enlisted in Ukraine's military in March following the Russian invasion.

The 35-year-old left his native Ukraine, where he had been helping to defend the country, on 23 March.

He confirmed the rematch two days later in an Instagram post, saying: "I decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua."

Why is hosting sport in Saudi Arabia so controversial?


The Gulf Kingdom state's human rights record and recent security concerns will once again be highlighted should such a high-profile sporting event be hosted in the country.

Britain's seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton repeated his call for Saudi Arabia to improve its human rights record before last weekend's Grand Prix in Jeddah. The race went ahead despite a missile attack about nine miles from the track on Friday.

Premier League club Newcastle were bought last year by a group led by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, prompting concern.

The use of the death penalty, jailing of women's rights activists, punishment of same-sex relationships and a military campaign in neighbouring Yemen are among the reasons why Saudi Arabia's involvement in sport has been criticised.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
×