Ivan Dychko: Anthony Joshua's former Olympic rival ready for UK return in Bournemouth and offers AJ vs Fury prediction

04.06.2026, 08:59 skysports.com

Anthony Joshua’s Olympic rival Ivan Dychko has set his sights on becoming Kazakhstan’s first heavyweight world champion ahead of his UK professional debut in Bournemouth on Saturday.

Dychko faces unbeaten English heavyweight Harvey Dykes at the Bournemouth International Centre, live on Sky Sports, the first time he has competed on UK soil since narrowly losing to Joshua during the semi-finals of the London 2012 Olympics.

The two-time Olympic medallist has beaten Filip Hrgovic, Bakhodir Jalolov and Zhilei Zhang during a glittering amateur career, with 14 of Dychko's first 15 professional victories then coming via knockout before September's loss to Jermaine Franklin Jr.

Dychko's defeat ended an unbeaten start to his pro career, although the 35-year-old believes he's fully capable of bouncing back and ending Dykes' perfect professional.

"Of course, I want to be world champion," Dychko told Sky Sports. "I want to see my name in boxing history.

"I take big experience from my amateur career and I use it in my professional boxing.

"I'm excited to be here and I'm glad that I have business with Zuffa. Because we are heavyweights, knockouts in our deal and is usually business.

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"I watched his [Dykes'] fight and I know his style. I have my strategy - you will see!"

Joshua narrowly defeated Dycho 13-11 on his way to Olympic gold before since becoming a two-time world champion, with the London heavyweight set to make his latest return to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Penga.

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The Jeddah fight is his first since being in a car crash last December that killed two of his training team and a likely warm-up to facing Tyson Fury later in the year, something Dychko "hopes" to see happen.

Dychko believes the eagerly-awaited tussle could go multiple ways, adding: "This is a hard question! This is just my opinion.

"I think that Tyson Fury can beat Anthony Joshua by decision or Anthony Joshua can make TKO to Tyson Fury.

"Joshua has the power for a knockout."

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The preliminary card also includes English prospect Leon Hughes looking to continue his perfect start to life in the pro ranks when he takes on Bulgaria's Mario Vergiev, while a six-round welterweight contest sees Alex MacMillan take on late replacement Leo Fanthome.

You can watch the earlier bouts on a live stream on the Sky Sports website and app and the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube page, starting at 5pm on Saturday.

Ukrainian heavyweight Ivan Dychko will face Britain's Harvey Dykes, while the unbeaten duo of Leon Hughes and Alex Macmillan are also in action.

Watch Zuffa Boxing 07 this Saturday live on Sky Sports, with early coverage streamed from 5pm ahead of live action on Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One from 7pm. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.