Announcement comes despite Joshua signing deal with DAZN earlier this year

Usyk Joshua 2 Sky Sports Box Office

Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland, despite Joshua’s broadcast deal with DAZN. 

Taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 20 August, the bout will see Joshua attempt to regain his WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight world titles following the Ukrainian’s comprehensive points victory over him last year.

Adam Smith, head of boxing development for Sky Sports, said: “Sky Sports viewers have enjoyed a long history with AJ, watching his every fight since he turned professional in 2013. We also know Oleksandr Usyk very well, having had the last four of the Ukrainian’s fights exclusively live on Sky Sports. This rematch is a massive occasion with everything on the line and so many questions to be answered. We can’t wait to bring it to boxing fans in the UK & Ireland in true Sky Sports fashion with all the build-up it deserves.”

The fight is being shown by Sky Sports despite Joshua’s recent signing of a broadcast deal with DAZN that included the UK. That agreement ended the former Olympic champion’s deal with Sky Sports, which had shown his bouts since he turned professional. It is understoond that this sequel bout was not included in that agreement, despite earlier claims in some quarters that all future Joshua bouts would be shown by DAZN. 

At the time, Joshua said: “I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster.

“Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division.

“I’ve been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time. We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years and I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business.

“DAZN’s vision and passion to innovate is what attracted me to the partnership. They are leading the digital landscape in sport and the future of sports broadcasting. I am really looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

The DAZN deal was reportedly worth £100m-a-year, and saw Joshua follow in the footsteps of the rest of the Matchroom Boxing stable in joining the streaming platform.