Heavyweight Anthony Joshua will face fellow Briton Dillian Whyte at London’s O2 Arena on 12 August in a rematch of their 2015 bout.
Joshua, 33, knocked out Whyte in the seventh round of their heated British title fight eight years ago, which also took place at the O2, avenging a loss to his rival in the amateurs.
Olympic gold medallist Joshua went on to become a two-time world champion.
Whyte, 36, lost his only world title challenge to Tyson Fury in 2022.
“I’ve been clear that my plan is to be active this year,” said Joshua. “August 12 is the date – I’ll be ready to fight. I look forward to dealing with business.”
Whyte beat Joshua by decision as an amateur in 2009, forming the basis of their bitter rivalry.
Joshua gained revenge when the pair met again as professionals in December 2015. ‘AJ’ was rocked in the second round but recovered to force a stoppage in the seventh.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the London O2 on August 12 and going to war,” said Whyte. “It’s 1-1, so this is the decider.”
Joshua beat American Jermaine Franklin on points in April, his first win in more than two years, having lost consecutive bouts to WBA (Super), IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The Londoner – who has won 25 fights and lost three – turned professional after winning gold at London 2012.
He won a world title in his 16th fight, but suffered his first professional loss in a shock stoppage defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden in June 2019, before reclaiming his unified titles on points in the rematch six months later.
Joshua is expected to face former world champion Deontay Wilder in December in Saudi Arabia, with a deal reportedly close to being agreed.
It is understood he wanted a second fight under the tutelage of trainer Derrick James before taking on hard-hitting American Wilder.
After weeks of negotiations, and Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn accepting Whyte’s request to remove a rematch clause, the fight has been agreed.
“I can’t quite believe this fight is happening and there was absolutely no stopping either man,” Hearn said.
“The rivalry runs deep and there is something about these two where they will never back down from each other.
“It is an absolute must-win for both. Get ready for fireworks.”
Whyte has not fought since also beating Franklin, also on points, in November 2022. The ‘Bodysnatcher’ has won 29 fights and lost three since turning professional in 2011. Karim Benzema agreed to join Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid
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Four of the leading Saudi Arabian clubs were recently taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United and LIV Golf.
Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr saw the five-time Ballon d’Or winner become the world’s highest-paid athlete, with Forbes reporting the 38-year-old’s annual earnings as $136m (£108.7m) in May.
After Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal missed out on Argentina legend Lionel Messi, a similarly lucrative offer emerging for another global superstar in Mbappe would not come as a surprise.
Chelsea
It was quite the first year for Chelsea under new owner Todd Boehly, who proceeded to splash out more than £550m across two transfer windows following his takeover.
The club may not be quite as aggressive this summer as they look to seek to trim their bloated squad and also ensure they adhere to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
However, the lengthy contracts they have handed out – British record 121m euro (£107m) signing Enzo Fernandez and £89m addition Mykhailo Mudryk both joined on eight-and-a-half year deals – allow them to spread out the cost of each player over that time.
Which means, should they succeed in reducing their squad size, Boehly’s Blues could very well be in the market for yet another statement signing as they look to bounce back from a disastrous season on the pitch in which they finished 12th in the English top flight.
Liverpool
Mbappe made clear his admiration for Liverpool back in 2020, describing Jurgen Klopp as a “very good manager” and his side as “a machine” as they hunted down a first Premier League title.
The Reds were previously linked with Mbappe but Klopp said the forward was out of his club’s price range – and he provided a similar response amid talk of a move for Bellingham earlier this year, which he compared with a child asking for a Ferrari for Christmas.
While that is likely to still be the case, owner John Henry has said that he does expect some investment in the club as they aim to again compete with Premier League winners Manchester City.
With PSG keen not to lose Mbappe without recuperating part of their outlay, could there yet be an opportunity for Liverpool if they are able to avoid being drawn into a bidding war?
