Boxing Bulletin August- Attention Turns To The Heavyweight Division With Both AJ And Usyk In Action!
After a truly incredible month of Boxing in July that bought us Inoue vs Fulton and Crawford vs Spence, we move onto August with AJ and Usyk both back in action. There are also 2 huge fights in Navarrete vs Valdez and Beterbiev vs Callum Smith as we preview another exciting month ahead!
Anthony Joshua Vs Dillian Whyte- Rematch In The Lions Den!
There is no secret that there isn’t much love lost between these two. Ever since AJ stopped Whyte in 2015, there has been speculation of a rematch between the pair since. Joshua has indicated in recent years he felt there was still unfinished business with the 2 of them currently sat with a win a piece as Dillian Whyte got the decision over AJ in the amateurs in 2009!
Rumours are rife that AJ is all set to face Deontay Wilder in December or January and this is certainly a risk when you consider the potential pay day that is to follow. Whyte will be looking to upset the odds and exact revenge and demanded he wanted a potential rematch clause removed! AJ obliged and now we have a fight!
The pair are both coming off questionable performances against American Jermaine Franklin with many feeling Whyte may have lost that fight and also plenty of people stating AJ looked gun-shy! There is no question AJ won the fight but is the AJ of old still there? On August 12th we will find out, live at the o2 on DAZN.
Emanuel Navarette Vs Oscar Valdez- All Mexican Super Featherweight War!
Initially scheduled for February 3 to contend for the title vacated by Shakur Stevenson, the bout had to be postponed due to Valdez’s withdrawal caused by a lingering rib injury. Instead, Navarrete faced Liam Wilson as a replacement opponent in February and showcased an incredible performance by coming back from a fourth-round knockdown to secure a ninth-round TKO victory, making it one of the standout fights of the year.
On Saturday, August 12, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a three-division world champion, will put his WBO Super Featherweight World Title on the line against Oscar Valdez, a former two-division world champion.
Artur Beterbiev Vs Callum Smith- Can Smith Upset The Odds In Canada?
Callum Smith is set to embark on a challenging journey to become a two-weight world champion as he prepares to take on Artur Beterbiev, the unified WBC, WBO, and IBF light-heavyweight champion, in Quebec City, Canada. Beterbiev, known for his formidable punching prowess with a flawless knockout ratio.
Having previously held the WBA super-middleweight title, Smith is determined to make his mark as a two-weight champion, despite Beterbiev’s record of stopping every professional opponent he has faced. The two-time Olympian and amateur world champion, who has resided in Montreal since starting his professional career a decade ago, has successfully defended his world titles seven times since claiming the IBF belt in November 2017, even engaging in a thrilling showdown with Smith’s former gym-mate, Callum Johnson.
Beterbiev has stopped each and every one of his 19 opponents so far and impressed last time out against Britain’s Anthony Yarde. He will now be looking to add another Brit to his record but Callum “Mundo” Smith may be his toughest test to date!
Oleksandr Usyk Vs Daniel Dubois- Usyk Returns After Back-To-Back AJ Victories!
In a highly anticipated clash, Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his three world title belts against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois. Initially, Usyk was expected to engage in an undisputed showdown with Tyson Fury from Britain in April of this year. However, negotiations between the two parties fell apart, leading to this upcoming bout against Dubois.
This fight marks Usyk’s first defence of his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts since his impressive victory over Anthony Joshua in a rematch last August, a bout that brought together two 2012 Olympic gold medallists. With an unbeaten record of 20-0, Usyk is the clear favourite going into this contest. However, the young British fighter, Dubois, has his sights set on causing an upset.
After suffering his first professional loss to fellow British heavyweight Joe Joyce in November 2020, Dubois has made a strong comeback, securing four consecutive stoppage wins, and currently holds a record of 19-1 (18) as a professional.
Although relatively inexperienced in world title fights, Dubois possesses a size advantage standing at 6ft 5in tall and weighing around 240lbs. Being a natural heavyweight, his physical attributes might give him an edge, particularly if he can land an early blow on the veteran Ukrainian.
SELECTED SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST
AUGUST 11TH- DANIEL VALLADARES VS GINJIRO SHIGEOKA- Edion Arena, Oskaka, Japan (IBF World Minimumweight Title)
AUGUST 12TH- ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DILLIAN WHYTE- 02 Arena, London- DAZN
AUGUST 12TH- EMANUEL NAVARETTE VS OSCAR VALDEZ- Glendale, USA- ESPN & Sky Sports (WBO World Super Featherweight Title)
AUGUST 12TH- EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ VS MELVIN LOPEZ- Oxon Hill, USA- Showtime (IBF World Bantamweight Title)
AUGUST 18TH- DENNIS MCCANN VS IONUT BALUTA- York Hall, London- TNT Sports
AUGUST 19TH- GALAL YAFAI VS TOMMY FRANK- Utilita Arena, Birmingham- DAZN
AUGUST 19TH- ARTUR BETERBIEV VS CALLUM SMITH- Quebec, Canada- ESPN & Sky Sports
AUGUST 26TH-OLEKSANDR USYK VS DANIEL DUBOIS- Wroclaw Poland- TNT Sports (WBA, WBO, IBF and RING Magazine World Heavyweight Titles)
AUGUST 26TH- JARED ANDERSON VS ANDRII RUDENKO- Tulsa, USA- ESPN
By Lee Browne
Also Read: Jack Catterall Could Headline Oct 21 DAZN Liverpool Show, Jorge Linares Potential Opponent
