Anthony Joshua triggers his rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk, reveals Eddie Hearn – with next spring targeted for their heavyweight contest
- Anthony Joshua has triggered his rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk
- Joshua was beaten by decision as he faced the Ukrainian fighter last month
- The fight is set to take place in March next year with the venue undecided
Anthony Joshua has triggered his rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk, Eddie Hearn has revealed.
The fight is expected to take place in March next year. Usyk revealed that he would like to defend his newly-won titles in Ukraine, although Hearn has claimed that the rematch will take place in Britain.
Last month Joshua was beaten by decision as he faced Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in process.
Anthony Joshua (right) has triggered his rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk (left)
Hearn told DAZN: ‘Today we officially triggered the rematch for Oleksandr Usyk fight, which we’ll see early next spring.
‘Back in the game and we’re looking for him to become three-time world champion.
‘A few niggles in camp for AJ, Usyk had a bad cut, it’s officially triggered, we’ll sit down with K2 Promotions and I think March is when you’ll see that fight.
‘This was a disappointing loss to a pound-for-pound great. We don’t need to get back in the game with 10-rounders, he needs to rip those belts off Usyk.’
Hearn wants the fight to take place in England but Usyk would like it to be held in Ukraine
Hearn revealed that Joshua is sulking and is fixated with the mistakes he made against Usyk
Hearn told BBC Sport: ‘Usyk has mentioned Kiev in his home country Ukraine as a potential venue and we will look at all options.
‘When AJ heard about that he didn’t have an issue with it and found it quite exciting.
‘I would like to do it back in the UK and we’ve had offers from the Middle East but we will see what’s the best opportunity for both fighters.
‘I don’t think the venue makes much difference in how AJ has to fight.’
Hearn revealed this week that AJ is chomping at the bit to get back in against Usyk
Hearn revealed this week that Joshua is determined to bounce back from the defeat to Usyk and is ‘fixated’ with the mistakes that he made.
He told talkSPORT: ‘I think AJ is humble in defeat, he feels a responsibility to act like that – it couldn’t be further away from reality. Actually I’d like him to lose some of that humbleness sometimes.
‘But he’s sulking. That’s the reality – I’ve been with him a couple of times and he’s fixated with the mistakes he made. He’s frustrated, he’s disappointed, he’s gutted. All he can think about is how he can improve.’