Where to watch Joshua vs Usyk 2 in London: The best pubs, sports bars and more

Book a table, grab a drink and settle in for the showdown
Revenge: Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua when the pair met in London last year
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Jochan Embley15 August 2022

Anthony Joshua will be desperate to avenge his defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk last year, as the duo face-off once again for their highly anticipated rematch this weekend.

Usyk claimed victory back in September in north London, and now the heavyweights will meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for one of the biggest bouts of 2022. While Joshua has made it clear he’s determined to avenge his loss — which would make him a three-time world champion — Usyk has surprised some with his body transformation, having reportedly gained some 15 kilograms. There is speculation, meanwhile, that should Joshua lose, he may retire, though his promoter Eddie Hearn has denied this.

Coverage of the fight will start at 9pm on Saturday August 20, and if you want to take in the fight night atmosphere, there are plenty of pubs, sports bars and restaurants around the capital that should do the trick.

Here, we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch.

Brigadiers

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The action in the ring is bound to be sizzling, but things should be just as spicy on the plate at Indian restaurant Brigadiers, which is hosting a fight night special for the big match-up. Tuck into the set Feast menu (£85pp), with dishes ranging from Afghani lamb ribeye kebab skewer to BBQ butter chicken wings. There’s also the option of having a private screening for you and your mates — enquire via the website for more on that.

1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR, brigadierslondon.com

Boxpark Croydon

The football screenings at Boxpark are now the stuff of beer-drenched legend, so you can count on a lively watchalong at the venue’s Crodyon venue (the Shoreditch and Wembley outposts aren’t showing the fight). Standing tickets have sold out, but if there’s a gang of you looking for somewhere to watch the action, go for a VIP table; £100 gets space for up to eight people with three jugs of booze included.

99 George Street, CR0 1LD, boxpark.co.uk

Greenwood

Always a popular spot, thanks in part to being in one of the best connected parts of the city, but mainly thanks to the healthy atmosphere that always accompanies the big screenings. The TVs are big and plentiful and the food is crowd-pleasing (nachos, burgers, stonebaked pizzas, chicken wings... you get the idea). You’ll need to spend a minimum of £45 per person to book a table, so make a proper night of it.

170 Victoria Street, SW1E 5LB, greenwoodlondon.com

Matchbox

One of the most popular spots for sports fans in Shoreditch, Matchbox is the place for no-fuss fun — spirits, shots, wine, beer, cocktails and jugs all flow freely, and there are enough screens dotted around the place to guarantee a good view. Tickets are going for £20 each, and you’ll need to turn up before 9pm (a ticket guarantees entry, but tables are unreserved).

135 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, matchbox-shoreditch.com

The Dugout

Offering both an exuberant atmosphere in the main space and the “caves” — private spaces for smaller groups which offer TVs, stocked fridges, game consoles and more — this sports bar in London Bridge is a solid choice. The food certainly does the job, too, with burgers, wings and the like, with plenty to wash it down with.

161-165 Borough High Street, SE1 1HR, belushis.com

Westwood

One of west London’s best choices is Westwood, part of the Westfield complex. The deal is a good one — crowd-pleasing food, plenty of big screens and lots to drink — with a wide range of sport on the tellies, from NFL to F1. The boxing takes pride of place on Saturday, though. This is another spot that requires a £45 minimum spend each of those in attendance.

Westfield, Ariel Way, W12 7HB, westwoodsportspub.com

Famous Three Kings

Over in Fulham, this boozer is always a top choice for live sport. It was voted sports pub of the year for three years on the trot, and is now open again after a hefty refurbishment. The food range is enticing — tacos, chicken wings, pizza, fish and chips, huge sharing plates and more — and there are more than enough screens to ensure a good view.

171 North End Road, W14 9NL, craft-pubs.co.uk

The Leyton Star

One of Leyton’s best boozers is always popular whenever there’s a big sporting event, be that the football, rugby or, in this case, the boxing. If you’re booking a table, you’ll need to be sat down by 7pm at the latest on Saturday night, but with some excellent burgers being served from the kitchen, it seems like a fair deal.

116 High Road Leyton, E15 2BX, leytonstar.co.uk

The Cadogan Arms

This Chelsea pub has its own sports bar, The Rose Room, which will be welcoming boxing fans for the bout on Saturday. It’s one of the more intimate spaces on this list, with just four screens, but what it lacks in size, it’ll make up for in atmosphere. Bookings are only taken via email, so drop a line to bookings@thecadoganarms.london to enquire.

298 King's Road, SW3 5UG, thecadoganarms.london

Bat & Ball

Build up to the ding dong in the ring with some ping pong beforheand at this Stratford venue. Five championship-sized tables will keep patrons entertained while they wait for Joshua and Usyk to emerge, and there are three ticket bundles to choose from: £30 includes admission, standard seating, nachos and two house drinks; £40 upgrades that to front-row seats and hot dog with fries; £50 offers premium seating, pizza and three house drinks. Check the website for the full details, and note that last entry in 8pm.

Unit 1110/11, Montfichet Road, E20 1EJ, thebatandball.com

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