Boxing fans are fuming after it was revealed that Anthony Joshua’s rematch with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will set a new record as the highest pay-per-view cost in UK television history.
Joshua is seeking to reclaim his heavyweight title against Usyk on August 20 with the pair taking to the ring in Saudi Arabia, but some, according to the Daily Mail, fans have insisted they won’t be tuning in to watch the title bout.
Sky Sports will once again stream the heavyweight title clash despite Joshua signing an exclusive agreement with broadcaster DAZN after Sky won the rights to stream the fight for a reported £25million.
Sky have increased the PPV cost to £27 for the upcoming fight which is £2 more expensive than the last bout between the two heavyweight stars, and sets a new record as the most expensive fight in British boxing history.
Joshua lost the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles to Usyk in September 2020 after being outclassed in the points defeat against the 35-year-old Ukrainian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The English fighter has swapped trainers to fight under American Robert Garcia after dropping long-standing trainer Rob McCraken.
Garcia has trained 20 world champions but never at heavyweight and will be seeking to unite Joshua with his title belts once again in an attempt to line up a unification title fight with Tyson Fury.
Stunned boxing supporters voiced their frustration after Sky’s announcement with many blasting the broadcasting giants for the eye-watering charge.