Anthony Joshua plans busy calendar with UK and Saudi Arabia at center stage

Firle photo of Anthony Joshua from the heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah in 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 12 January 2024
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Anthony Joshua plans busy calendar with UK and Saudi Arabia at center stage

  • British boxer set to fight Dillian Whyte at the O2 in London on Aug. 12
  • Promoter Eddie Hearn in talks for Deontay Wilder bout in Kingdom

Anthony Joshua looks set to have a busy remainder of 2023 as he looks set to appear in a pair of potential fights in the heavyweight division — in the UK and Saudi Arabia.
According to Sky Sports, Dillian Whyte has signed a contract to fight Joshua on Aug. 12 in London’s O2 arena. This makes it the third time they have faced each other — once as amateurs, which Whyte won, and in 2015 for the vacant British Heavyweight title that saw Joshua emerge the victor.
With both fighters coming off victories, being from the UK and looking to get back into title contention, the fight is an appropriate and competitive matchup. Whyte is no doubt aware of Joshua’s potential future plans and is seeking to insert himself into discussions with a victory.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is in talks with representatives from Saudi Arabian promoters Skill Challenge Entertainment, who are in London, for a potential fight with former champion Deontay Wilder in December or January.
The ongoing talks, taking place from Friday to Monday, were successful according to Hearn. Speaking to Boxing News on Saturday, he said: “We’re in a great place with them. We virtually have a deal agreed in principle, subject to a few final discussions.”
A fight with Wilder would mark the third time Joshua has fought in the Kingdom, having previously recaptured his unified belts in a rematch with Andy Ruiz in the Diriyah Arena in 2019, before losing to Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah in 2022.
The heavyweight division has had a rather stagnant 2023 so far, all of which looks set to change over the latter half of the year. There is the Usyk versus Daniel Dubois fight scheduled for August, Zhilei Zhang taking on Joe Joyce in September, and an imminent “game-changing” announcement for Tyson Fury this week, according to promoter Frank Warren.


Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

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Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

  • Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga

MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.