By Babalola Seyi
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua will have his chance to avenge Oleksandr Usyk in the first months of 2022.
The duo fought two months ago at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and despite the fight going the distance, Usyk won by unanimous decision to take the WBA, WBO, and IBF crowns.
With Joshua’s aspirations of meeting Tyson Fury for a crack at becoming the heavyweight title dashed, the discussion has turned to a rematch between the Brit and the Ukrainian instead.
Joshua was “mad” with his defeat, and Hearn previously stated that he intended to “bash up” Usyk in a second encounter, and now he has specified when that may be.
“I think it will realistically be the 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,” Hearn said.
“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.”
In terms of where the rematch may take place, Usyk has already stated that he wants to be the center of attention in his home country.
“I would love to have the rematch at Olympiyskiy Stadium in Kiev ‘’ he said in September – though Hearn replied it was “unlikely” it would be in Ukraine.
“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.”
