ANTHONY JOSHUA will officially rematch Oleksandr Usyk on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
After months of speculation and continuous delays, AJ's shot at redemption has finally been confirmed.
Joshua, 32, was dethroned of the unified WBA, IBF and WBO belts by Usyk last September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Speaking after the rematch was confirmed Joshua said: “What a roller coaster journey, fighting for the Heavyweight Championship of the World for the 12th consecutive time.
“I won the belt, unified the division won another belt, lost the belts, became two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion and now have my date with history set to become three-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. What an opportunity.
“Fighting championship level back to back has had its pros and cons, but I decide every day to get stronger, to learn from my experiences and grow.
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Fans are all saying the same thing as Oleksandr Usyk posts training pictures
"A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been."
Usyk 35, was almost talked into an undisputed title decider with Tyson Fury – who made a shock U-turn on his retirement on Tuesday night, before leaving fans confused by revealing he's still retired on Wednesday morning.
But AJ failed to agree a step-aside deal which would have seen him paid to take an interim bout while awaiting the winner.
Instead, Fury knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, as talks between Usyk and Joshua – who has sensationally quit Sky Sports to team up with DAZN in a £100m deal – continued.
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It came amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine which almost threatened to scupper Usyk's rematch with AJ after he bravely took up arms.
But the pound-for-pound star in March fled his homeland to begin training for his sequel with Joshua.
Promoter Eddie Hearn was in talks with several regions all willing to put mega-money on the table to host the rematch.
But just like when Joshua avenged defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, in 2019, he will travel over 4,000 miles to the Saudi desert for his revenge mission.
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