Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua might fight for a third time. The two heavyweights have already faced each other twice, with Usyk winning both encounters.
Their first clash took place in 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Usyk won a close 12-round contest by points decision. The fight was technical, and neither boxer hit the canvas. In 2022, they met again in Saudi Arabia. Joshua had changed trainers, swapping Rob McCraken for Robert Garcia. But the result was the same - Usyk took the win on points.
Since then, Usyk has been busy. He defended his unified titles against Daniel Dubois and became the undisputed heavyweight king by beating Tyson Fury in May. He's got to face Fury again in December. Meanwhile, Joshua is set to fight Daniel Dubois in September for the IBF belt that Usyk gave up.
Usyk has said he's open to a third fight with Joshua. He told reporters:
"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. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God's help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony."
Robert Garcia, who trained Joshua for the second Usyk fight, thinks AJ could win a third bout. He told The Sun:
"He is the second most-talented fighter in the [heavyweight] division. So much potential, so big, so strong, but he needed that confidence and I think that last fight showed him that he belongs up there. Even though he has lost to Usyk, he has got to think that he is the best. The way he fought, I wouldn't be surprised if he beat Usyk in a third fight because he fought good."
Garcia also praised Joshua's recent activity:
"That was the one thing that Rudy Hernandez and myself told him, after the fight against Usyk in the locker room, I told everybody to keep him active, fight him [Joshua] again right away and they did. Three times [he fought] this year, that was the best thing that they could have done for him."
If Joshua beats Dubois and gets another shot at Usyk, he could become a three-time world champion. He'd also have a chance to win all four belts, which would cement his place in boxing history.
