Former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua suffered a shocking loss when he lost his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles to Oleksandr Usyk, who is the reigning unified champion, winning the fight via unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 25th September. The rematch is definitely in the works and meanwhile, Joshua’s promoter and Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Usyk vs Joshua 2 will definitely take place by early April next year.
After his undisputed heavyweight title fight with the reigning WBC champion Tyson Fury fell apart, Joshua was challenged by former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk to challenge for his unified world titles, ahead of finally getting the Fury fight sorted. While many saw AJ as the favourite to defend his titles and win the bout, Usyk stupendously outboxed the Briton and became the new unified heavyweight champion.
AJ will be doing a bit more preparation: Eddie Hearn opines on the rematch
Joshua is expected to earn a rematch with Usyk before the unified champion can clash against the winner of Fury vs Wilder 3 for the undisputed championship, and in a recent interview with Talk Sport, Eddie Hearn revealed that he is positive about the fight taking place within early April.
“I think [the rematch] will be realistically end of March, early April. Both guys are probably resting, although AJ will be doing a bit more preparation because he wants to get it right,” said Hearn, “there was a well-documented trip to America, just to look really, look, learn and see. I think he will go back out there towards the end of the year. We will start talking to Team Usyk over the next couple of weeks and pin down the venue.”
Even though Hearn feels that the rematch might head for the United States, he says Usyk vs Joshua 2 should take place on British soil similar to their first encounter back in September.
“I would like it back in the UK. There are other options. We have had approaches to stage that fight around the world. But last time out was a massive spectacle and, obviously, this time is a much bigger fight,” Hearn added. [H/T BoxingScene]
Highlights:
- Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn positive about Usyk vs Joshua 2 taking place within early April next year
- Hearn says the rematch should take place in the UK
