- Boxing. Despite misgendering controversy, Imane Khelif wins Welterweight Olympic Gold Medal
- Boxing. Terence Crawford strongly advised to not fight Canelo Alvarez by world class trainer
There wasn't ever really much of a doubt when it came to who Oleksandr Usyk would fight after defeating Tyson Fury in May. After capturing the undisputed heavyweight titles, Fury instantaneously activated his rematch clause, which nearly any boxer would have done.
After some bumps in the road, all of the pieces fell into place in the heavyweight division. Usyk accepted the rematch, Daniel Dubois beat Filip Hrgovic for the IBF interim belt that Usyk had to relinquish, and Anthony Joshua waited in the wings to get a title shot. Joshua is set to face Dubois in September for that same belt, and the winner would move on to face either Usyk or Fury.
Usyk is "ready" for Anthony Joshua trilogy fight
Fury is adamant he will win and get revenge, but Usyk is brimming with confidence; so much so that he's already thinking about fighting Joshua before anything even materializes. He gave an interview to Mail Sport Boxing on Friday.
I don't particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight. From my point of view I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world.
Usyk and Joshua have already fought twice before. The Ukrainian came out on top in both. The first was a unanimous decision and the second bout was a split decision that probably should have been unanimous as well.
Since that second loss to Usyk, Joshua has completely turned around his career. After a UD win over Jermaine Franklin, he rattled off three straight knockout victories, including a stunning one of Francis Ngannou in March. Joshua and Usyk are ready to run it back, but they have to handle business first.