The world heavyweight championship rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and the man from whom he won his world titles, Anthony Joshua, has been confirmed for August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua was defeated by the the Ukrainian in their first meeting in Wembley Stadium in London last September, surrendering his WBA, WBO and IBF world titles in the process but has been angling for a rematch ever since. The former Olympic gold medalist has also revamped his training team, drafting in US-based coach Robert Garcia to assist alongside Angel Fernandez in his camp.

The location of the bout will be a positive omen for Joshua, having avenged the first defeat of his career against Andy Ruiz in the same country.

The undefeated Usyk, meanwhile, defends his heavyweight titles for the first time, and after he spent time taking up arms against Russia during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The Ukrainian is considered by many to be the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer having previously dominated the cruiserweight division before upsetting Joshua in front of a fiercely partisan crowd at Wembley last year.

The winner of the fight is strongly linked to what would be a blockbuster heavyweight title unification match with Tyson Fury, after the Gypsy King revealed recently that he would come out of retirement so long as the money on offer is appropriate.

Fury had previously stated that he was stepping away from boxing in the wake of his knockout win against Dillian Whyte earlier this year.