Saudi Arabia could host Joshua vs. Usyk rematch

British heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua (R) and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk exchange punches during a heavyweight boxing match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. (File/AFP)
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Updated 29 March 2022
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Saudi Arabia could host Joshua vs. Usyk rematch

  • The Kingdom is fast becoming a go-to place to host major boxing matches
  • Ukrainian Usyk was fighting in his country’s army until recently, but is now preparing for his rematch

LONDON: Saudi Arabia could host the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua rematch in late June, according to Ukrainian promoter Alexander Krassyuk.

Ukrainian Usyk is set to face Anthony Joshua after beating the Brit last year for the title of unified heavyweight champion.

Their much-awaited rematch could take place in Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi is the place we are in discussions with at the moment,” Krassyuk told BBC Sport.

“Late June is the date we are looking at. Nothing has been confirmed on paper. We are working on it.”

Saudi Arabia is believed to be the front-runner, but Krassyuk has not ruled out the rematch taking place elsewhere.

“There are other options, but we take it step by step,” he added.

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in its sporting and entertainment industries, and has hosted a series of high profile sport events in recent years, including boxing matches.

Joshua, 32, could return to Saudi Arabia having regained his world title belts by beating Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr. in Riyadh in December 2019, after being knocked out by the Mexican in a shock knockout defeat six months earlier.

The fight had originally been billed for May, but was pushed back to allow Usyk, 35, to fight for the Ukraine army against Russian forces in the country.

Usyk left Ukraine on March 23, and confirmed two days later that he had begun to prepare for his fight with Joshua.


Kuwait welcomes its new PFL MENA champion

Updated 19 December 2025
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Kuwait welcomes its new PFL MENA champion

  • Mohammad Alaqraa, 25, hailed on return home after welterweight title win over Badreddine Diani in Alkhobar

DUBAI: On Dec.15 Mohammad Alaqraa touched down at Kuwait International Airport carrying something he had been chasing for years: the PFL MENA welterweight championship belt.

His arrival came just 10 days after a unanimous decision victory over Morocco’s Badreddine Diani at Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. It marked a significant milestone for the Kuwaiti fighter and the combat sports landscape in the Middle East.

Greeted at the airport by his father, brother, excited fans and media representatives, Alaqraa spoke about his plans.

“It’s been a long journey, thanks to everyone that came to the airport and past events. Just like I promised I’ll get the MENA championship, my goal is to raise Kuwait’s name in this sport (and) now I promise next time I’ll come back with a world title,” he said.

Alaqraa’s arrival became an impromptu celebration. Fans had phone cameras ready for selfies and videos as he emerged holding his belt.

The championship fight against Diani was a full five-round affair that showcased Alaqraa’s growth. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favor. Alaqraa had established control through pressure wrestling, fence work, and a steady jab.

The win was sweet after losing by referee’s stoppage to Omar El-Dafrawy in the 2024 PFL MENA Finals.

Alaqraa defeated Omar Hussein and Ayman Galal en route to the 2025 finals, with his semifinal victory over Galal ending in just 21 seconds with an oblique kick, the fastest finish in PFL MENA history.

At 25 years old, Alaqraa now holds a 10-1 record in MMA. His background encompasses multiple martial arts disciplines developed since childhood. He holds a judo black belt and finished first in an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tournament before turning professional in 2021.

Since leaving Kuwait at 17 to pursue MMA, Alaqraa has trained at American Kickboxing Academy under head coach Javier Mendez, the gym that has produced champions including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

Alaqraa graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in industrial systems engineering while developing his fighting career.​