As previously reported, Oleksandr Usyk – holder of the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF belts – announced in a video uploaded on his Instagram Friday that he has started training for his contractually-obligated heavyweight title rematch against England’s Anthony Joshua. Usyk had originally been on track to face Joshua, but with the Russian military invasion of Ukraine that began last month, Usyk decided to put aside his career and enlist in a territorial defense battalion in Kyiv.
Now Usyk has stated he intends to defend his heavyweight titles against Joshua. Their first meeting took place last September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London; the southpaw Usyk, by most accounts, thoroughly outpointed the bigger, harder-punching Londoner.
The news confirms a report by ESPN’s Mike Coppinger earlier in the week stating that Usyk would be leaving Ukraine to nearby Poland to begin his training camp. It also seemingly eliminates the much bandied about idea of Joshua taking on a “stay-busy” interim bout.
In the video, the 35-year-old Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) said he believes that fighting Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) would be more “help” to his country than patrolling the streets.
“Good evening, everyone,” Usyk said. “I’ve decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
“That’s how I will help my country more and it’s better than being in territorial defense and running around Kyiv with a machine gun.
“Dear friend, many of my friends and close ones called me and supported me in this. Haters, I wish you well and wish you happiness, joy and peace.
“Everything will be with God’s blessing. Everything will be with Ukraine. Wishing everyone well.”
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Joshua, said he is working with Alex Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, on finalizing a date and location. Hearn said he expects the fight to land in June.
“I expect that fight to take place in June,” Hearn told BBC 5 Live on Thursday in London. “I think almost certainly now that will be the next fight for ‘AJ’, which he is extremely happy about. He’s ready to go.
“We are dealing with Alex Krassyuk to finalize the location and hopefully next week we can give you some news to say that this fight is on and it will take place on this date, in this location. Like I said, it’s almost certain that it will be AJ-Usyk next.”
Credit: Boxingscene
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