Anthony Joshua has been backed by Eddie Hearn to knockout Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch and become a three-time heavyweight champion.
Joshua, 32, has been on a collision course to fight Usyk for the second time ever since losing his belts to the Ukrainian last September. The pair meet again in Jeddah on August 20, with Joshua employing a new trainer in Robert Garcia for the rematch after parting ways with longtime coach Robert McCracken following his loss to Usyk.
Usyk's boxing future looked bleak when he put down his gloves to help defend his native Ukraine from an ongoing Russian invasion earlier this year. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion only decided to make his boxing return after being persuaded by the Ukrainian military. Usyk recently surprised fans by showing off his muscular physique which has given Joshua's promoter Hearn confidence in his fighter's chances to knockout the Ukrainian.
