Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 live fight updates, prelim results, highlights from 2022 boxing card

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The time for talking is over. With a new trainer, Anthony Joshua has arrived in Saudi Arabia with a goal to reclaim his status as heavyweight champion. Oleksandr Usyk, however, will look to halt any aspirations Joshua has. The Ukrainian is ready to defend the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Joshua on August 20.

King Abdullah Sports City will be the location of the fight.

Usyk made his pro debut in 2013 after winning a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. The Ukrainian won the 2017-18 World Boxing Super Series tournament, beating Marco Huck and Mairis Briedis for the WBC and WBO cruiserweight title, and Murat Gassiev in the final for the WBA, IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles. Usyk moved up to heavyweight in 2019. After beating Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, he overcame Joshua via unanimous decision last September to become the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion.

A few months ago, Usyk paused his fighting career and fought in Ukraine against Russian aggression. He was eventually able to leave Ukraine in order to prepare for this fight. Fighting in Ukraine and preparing for this bout was grueling, but Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, has been impressed with the champion’s drive.

MORE: Join DAZN to watch Usyk vs. Joshua 2

“When we watched Usyk’s videos from the training camp, we realized that he looks like a cyborg. He went through hell in the training camp in the last three months. It did not kill him but it made him even stronger. I’ve never seen him more determined than now,” Krassyuk stated. “Not many champions in the world can share their experience going through the war and making their way to the ring to defend their Heavyweight crown. It was an extremely complicated challenge for him, but he seems to have passed it.”

Joshua will look to become a three-time heavyweight champion. This is his second time fighting in Saudi Arabia. After losing the heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, Joshua beat him in the Diriyah Arena to win them back. Joshua is looking to go 2-0 in championship rematches, thanks to new trainer Robert Garcia.

“Preparations have been tough, but I like the pressure. Robert Garcia, Angel Fernandez, members of my previous team as well; they’ve been pushing me, challenging me, ensuring I stay focused, and positioning me to get the job done and emerge victorious come Saturday night,” Joshua stated.

The Sporting News will be providing live coverage of Usyk vs. Joshua 2. Stay tuned!

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 live results, highlights

Coverage of Usyk vs. Joshua 2 begins at 12 p.m. ET with the undercard bouts. 

Andrew Tabiti beats James Wilson

After a bit of debate with his corner, weary Wilson is pulled out – Tabiti wins with the first early finish of the night!

The World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight semi-finalist enhances his record to 20 wins and one defeat. Wilson takes a while to recover sufficiently to rise from his stool, then exchanges words of respect with Tabiti.

“I’m feeling great,” Tabiti tells DAZN. “He’s a bigger guy, so I was taking my time and seeing what he has. Once I saw that he doesn’t have too much, I put my foot on and pumped the gas.”

Tabiti says that he now hopes to go for the “big fish” and campaign at cruiserweight, bridgerweight and heavyweight in future.

Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson – round five

Tabiti catches Wilson with a good shot, then appears to stand on Wilson’s foot, making the punch looking more troubling than it was for the bigger man.

Then he connects with a cruel right hand after backing Wilson into a corner. When he takes him to the ropes again, an uppercut proves too much and sends Wilson down.

The referee allows wobbled Wilson to continue after an eight count. Creditably, he stays on his feet for the remaining 30 seconds of the round, looking drained as he returns to his corner.

Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson – round four

Wilson tries to impose himself on Tabiti. There’s a case for him winning the round as he steps forward, which is a bit of a surprise after he was hit by by the shot of the fight so far in the third round.

READ: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 roundtable: Analysis, expert picks, predictions for heavyweight title fight

Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson – round three

Just when Wilson seems to be feeling his way in to the fight, Tabiti rocks him with a left hook that he anticipated about as keenly as a fly sensing an asteroid plunging earthwards.

Wilson holds on and has a smile on his face as he retreats to his corner once the bell goes.

Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson – round two

Tabiti has a noticeable speed superiority to the heavier fighter and is finding success with his jab. Wilson has not offered much so far and has probably lost both rounds.

Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson – round one 

A curious heavyweight clash here, and parallels with the weight difference between Usyk and Joshua: Wilson is 10kg heavier than his opponent but has not campaigned at the same level as Tabiti, who once challenged for a world title at cruiserweight.

Wilson, 35, is known as ‘The Beast’. Tabiti, who is three years his junior, is known as ‘Beast’. Neither American has taken a beasting in the opening round.

Ben Whittaker beats Petar Nosic (UD)

Two out of two for the decorated former amateur. “I just tried to box to my gameplan,” Whittaker tells DAZN. “The coach wanted me to keep behind my jab and keep it nice and composed.

“You could see [Nosic] was a bit weary but it was great fighting him so early in my career. I switched off, trying to look a bit too sexy at times – but that’s me.”

Whittaker’s thoughts on the prospects for Joshua, the man whose management companies looks after his career?

“Come on, man. If I don’t hear nobody screaming for AJ, I’m not your friend. I want everybody to raise the roof for AJ.”

Don’t forget to read our interview with Whittaker as he takes another important step in his burgeoning professional career.

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round six

Whittaker cruises to an easy victory, landing a few times with right-hand shots of varying powers again without looking likely to land the knockout.

This will have been a useful six-rounder for the rookie.

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round five

“Touch, touch, slow,” says Steward at the end of a round in which Whittaker’s greatest success came from an early straight right that appeared to wobble Nosic. Whittaker chuckles at something the exalted trainer says as he stands in wait for the fifth.

The bronze medalist at the World Championships in 2019 responds to the advice by spending most of the round looking for a big shot. He takes a few clips to his whiskers for his trouble.

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round four

Steward appeared to tell Whittaker to step it up in this round. He looks for an angle and lands, but not to telling effect.

Whittaker lands with a sharp right as the final 30 seconds of the round approaches. Nosic shrugs it off and keeps coming forward.

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round three

Whittaker is leading off the jab and throwing plenty of feints but he knows he is in a fight against Nosic, who does not look unduly troubled.

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round two

Nosic is an unbeaten Croatian who made his debut in 2021 and has won all six of his fights. The pair are former amateur rivals, and Nosic is occasionally finding a way through here.

You can read The Sporting News’ exclusive interview with Whittaker from Jeddah by clicking on the link below!

MORE: Ben Whittaker on Joshua vs. Fury, adjusting to Sugarhill Steward and Olympian’s rapid rise

Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic – round one

And here comes one of Joshua’s compatriots: Birmingham light-heavyweight Whittaker won a silver medal at the Olympic Games last year, among a haul of amateur medals.

The 25-year-old receives advice from legendary trainer SugarHill Steward in his corner after a decent first round in which he took a few jabs but appeared to show superior speed, footwork and movement to Nosic.

Daniel Lapin beats Jozef Jurko (UD)

Never in doubt. We’ll reduce any risk of patronising Jurko by sparing him another mention of how durable and game he was against an intimidating opponent.

If Usyk wants a good early omen for the headline bout, this conclusive victory by a countryman who reveres him could be it!

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round eight

Lapin steps it up again, grinning as he tries to finish Jurko in the final round. With around 70 seconds to go, Jurko slows on his feet and momentarily looks like he might be in trouble.

The towering Kiev fighter beckons Jurko on, and his adversary raggedly goes for broke, showing impressive reserves of energy while coming no nearer to a meaningful blow. The fighters who their respect for each other as the bell goes.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round seven

Lapin has never been taken this far in a fight before, and the way he’s occasionally seemed to hold back and measure up his opponents suggests he perhaps wanted to try out a few elements today and spend more time in the ring.

A fairly uneventful round. Jurko earns a little recovery time and shows his spirit as he gamely tries to find a way through, occasionally slugging at thin air.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round six

Lapin seems to up the speed at the start of the round, working Jurko towards a corner and sending in chopping body shots.

Jurko, to his credit again, responds with flashes of success on his own. The referee has a word with Jurko about something he’s spotted during the closing seconds of the round, and the fighters touch gloves.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round five

This fight is following a familiar pattern. There is a sense that Lapin could probably finish this earlier if he wanted to, although Jurko is performing commendably and does not look visibly more tired than he did after a few minutes of fruitless chasing in the first half of the bout.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round four

One of the novelties of this fight taking place in a largely empty arena is that you can hear the thud all the more clearly when fights land. Lapin just landed a body shot that sounded like an axe hitting a tree.

Jurko, understandably, is riled, growling as he charges Lapin towards a corner and tries to connect with a barrage of willing but untidy attempts.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round three

Jurko wants to find a way through but there are shades of Tyson Fury’s opponents as he toils to move within the range he would like and eats more than one vicious shot along the way.

Toughman Jurko has never been stopped and has won nine of his 16 fights, but is clearly tiring as he sits in the corner. This is his seventh fight in 13 months, so he’s clearly durable.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round two

A devotee of Usyk, Lapin clearly would not object if Jurko did come forward recklessly. The giant has never lost a round and does not look like doing so here.

Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko – round one

Lapin is a 6ft 6in Ukrainian light-heavyweight who was born in Poland and grew up in Crimea. The 25-year-old’s huge reach has immediately caused problems for Jozef Jurko, his opponent known as ‘The Slovakian Bulldog’ who has shown ample aggression and appears to be shouting at Lapin in an attempt to incite a more toe-to-toe scrap.

Jurko cannot connect when he steps in, while Lapin is attacking from distance and using his movement to damaging effect, often evading the guard with his left hand.

Traycho Georgiev beats Rashed Belhasa (UD)

Well, that was an entertaining start to today’s action. After a fight in which both boxers freely threw haymakers and chased each other around the ring, Bulgarian Traycho Georgiev earns the first win of his career at the fourth attempt against celebrity opposition!

Georgiev was taking on Rashed ‘Money Kicks’ Belhasa, the YouTube and social media sensation who was making his debut. Belhasa has more than 2.1 million followers and was awarded a 39-37 win on one of the judge’s cards.

When is Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2?

  • Date: August 20 | August 21 in Australia
  • Main card: 12 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. BST | 2 a.m. AEST
  • Main event: 5:15 p.m. ET | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7:15 a.m. AEST (Approximately)

Usyk vs. Joshua 2 will take place on August 20. The main card will start at 12 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. BST | 2 a.m. AEST. Usyk and Joshua should make their way to the ring around 5:15 p.m. ET | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7 a.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

MORE: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 roundtable

How to watch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

  • U.S., Canada, Australia: DAZN
  • U.K.: Sky Sports Box Office 

In most countries globally, including the U.S., Canada and Australia, the fight will be streamed on DAZN.

However, Sky Sports Box Office won the rights to the fight in Joshua’s home territory (U.K.).

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 PPV price: How much does the card cost? 

  • DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 in the U.S., $20 in Canada, $13.99 AUD
  • DAZN annual subscription: $99.99 in the U.S., $150 in Canada

In the United States, Canada and Australia, and most territories globally, the fight will air on DAZN, but it will not be via PPV. 

  • Sky Sports Box Office: £26.95 in the U.K.

Fight fans in the UK will have to stump up £26.95, a £2 increase on the price Sky Sports set for AJ and Usyk’s initial encounter.

MORE: Join DAZN to watch Usyk vs. Joshua 2

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 fight card

  • Oleksandr Usyk (c) vs. Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
  • Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang; IBF heavyweight title eliminator
  • Callum Sith vs. Mathieu Bauderlique; WBC light-heavyweight title eliminator
  • Badou Jack vs. Richard Rivera
  • Tyrone Spong vs. Andrew Tabiti
  • Ramla Ali vs. Crystal Garcia Nova 
  • Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko
  • Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jose Alatorre 
  • Money Kicks vs. Kyle Paevie
  • Ben Whittaker vs. Peter Nosic
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