DAZN - Anthony Joshua vs Oleksander Usyk (Concept Art)

After the completion of the Vargas vs Smith posters, I was asked to  create deliverables in the same formats  for the Joshua vs Usyk fight in Summer 2022. How I went about designing this poster was different since the date and location haven’t been given at this moment in time in which I stated the date 15th of July as a placeholder date. 

What I was asked to achieve was like the Vargas vs Smith posters which was to create impactful posters that both boxing fans and the general public would understand and want to watch the fight. However, I had to go about it differently since I had to watch their first fight, they had in 2021.  After analysing their fighting style and movement,  I had to come with a strong narrative since the location was not confirmed. 

From watching all 12 rounds of their first fight in London last year. I saw Usyk was quick and chaotic in terms of fighting and Joshua was calm and collected in his fighting stance.  I came up with two narratives which I felt were good for their rematch. The narratives I produced were Reclaim the Throne and Unwavering vs Unpredictable. 

 I decided that reclaim felt more fitting since it was a rematch between the fighters. the thought process behind the title Reclaim the Throne was making it sound like a power struggle between the two, one trying to stay victorious and above all and the other, a battle of redemption and pride.  following that original idea, i decided to incorporate regal elements , initially was a crown then later changed to a throne.  adding poses representing their fighting styles and I thought implementing them in front of smoke in a dark background would build up intensity and tension. alongside smoke in their native flags to give off a sense of nationalism and patriotism.