Anthony Joshua rematch with Oleksandr Usyk ‘getting ready to affirmation’ however faces delay as Eddie Hearn admits return to Tottenham ‘unlikely’ and divulges hopes for AJ vs Tyson Fury

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn insists affirmation of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is simply days away.

The 2 heavyweights have been locked right into a second struggle since Usyk claimed Joshua’s three belts on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.

Usyk dethroned three-belt champion Joshua in SeptemberMark Robinson/Matchroom

Regardless of preliminary fears the struggle in Usyk’s native Ukraine would see the struggle referred to as off, it has been pencilled in for July 23 for the reason that champion returned to coaching.

Nevertheless, Hearn admits that date might now should be pushed again, whereas revealing an official announcement will drop shortly.

“We’re proper on the brink now of signing all of the paperwork,” the promoter instructed talkSPORT.

“It [July 23] is simply seven weeks away. It’s a huge job.

“They need to do multi-city, worldwide press excursions. There’s TV rights to debate, there’s sponsorship to debate.

“It’s possible you will notice a two or three week delay for that struggle to land in August.

Hearn nonetheless doesn’t have a date for the rematchGetty

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“The struggle will occur. I’m very assured you’ll get an official announcement subsequent week.

“It has been an extended activity, because it at all times is to signal these huge fights.”

Stories recommend the struggle will happen on the Jeddah Tremendous Dome in Saudi Arabia.

Hearn admits the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can be his most well-liked selection of venue, however explains why the bout should go to the very best bidder.

Requested about his choice, he stated: “Wherever would be the most advantageous to Joshua, which is in London. You at all times need to struggle in your house city.

“The issue is, this struggle is a 50/50 cut up with Usyk, and we’ve got a contractual obligation to maximise the income for him.

The Jeddah Tremendous Dome is the favorite to host the fightGetty

“So if there’s a chance to earn three or 4 occasions extra money, Usyk will not be going to conform to do the struggle in AJ’s dwelling metropolis for 1 / 4 of the cash.

“It’s a really troublesome job. I’ll find yourself getting the blame no matter occurs, however that’s OK, I’ll take it on the chin.

“This can be a very harmful sport and we’d like to verify we get the most effective deal for the fighters.

“We might love to return to Spurs, however with the provides which have are available around the globe, that’s unlikely. We’ll see what lands subsequent week.”

If Joshua reclaims Usyk’s WBO, WBA and IBF titles, followers will name for an all-British unification bout in opposition to WBC champion Tyson Fury.

A struggle between the pair has been years within the making, however Fury continues to insist he’s retired following his current victory over Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium.

Fury has held each main recognised belt within the heavyweight division in some unspecified time in the future in his profession together with the lineal championshipGetty

Nonetheless, Hearn is planning for Fury subsequent, predicting an early knockout for Joshua in his rematch in opposition to Usyk.

He added: “I consider Joshua wins this struggle through knockout inside six rounds. It’s an enormous name.

“However the state of mind that he’s in, he’s introduced Robert Garcia into camp as his new coach, he appears great.

“The issue with combating Usyk is every part you hear round it… ‘Oh, I hear he does this, I ponder what it’s prefer to be within the ring with him’.

“Once you’ve achieved rounds with him, it’s nonetheless very troublesome, however I feel AJ’s expertise will assist him.

“He will likely be an underdog going into the struggle, nice. I feel he can do it. I hope everybody’s behind him.

“Hopefully he’ll turn out to be three-time world champion and eventually arrange that huge undisputed struggle with Tyson Fury.”

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