Tottenham Stadium to host Joshua v Usyk heavyweight title bout
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been officially confirmed as the venue for Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
Over 60,000 fans will be expected at Spurs’ state-of-the-art £1billion home when Joshua defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts in N17 against his WBO mandatory challenger from Ukraine on Saturday, September 25.
It will be the first fight to take place at the ground, which had originally been due to host Joshua’s last contest against Kubrat Pulev, only for the Covid-19 pandemic to force that bout to be delayed until December and switched to Wembley Arena.
“The date is set and we are fully locked in. September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown. We are two Olympic Gold medalists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges,” Joshua said.
“The venue is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue. The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said he was delighted with the agreement and for the chance to “once again showcase the stadium’s ability to take the hosting of world-class sporting occasions to the next level”.
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“This is a huge occasion for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Anthony Joshua is an icon in the world of sport and to have him fight here in London N17, against a top opponent in Oleksandr Usyk, will be amazing for the area of Tottenham,” Levy said.
“We cannot wait for September 25.”
Joshua was initially supposed to face rival and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a blockbuster all-British undisputed showdown in Saudi Arabia on August 14, but that plan was scuppered after an arbitration hearing ruled that Fury must face Deontay Wilder for a third time instead.