ANTHONY JOSHUA could take an interim fight while Oleksandr Usyk serves in the Ukrainian military, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
The IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion is currently defending his country from Vladimir Putin’s Russian invasion.
Joshua could fight someone else before rematching Usyk
Usyk is defending his country from the Russian invasion
And while Usyk takes care of far more important issues outside of the ring, Joshua is preparing for a rematch against the Ukrainian.
Usyk beat AJ by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in September.
After discussions about Joshua stepping aside to allow an undisputed fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury, The Gypsy King has now opted to take on mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
This left Joshua in line for a rematch with Usyk in the first half of 2022, but Usyk’s military service may now delay that happening.
When asked earlier this week about when he will be ready to defend his belts, Usyk said: “I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring.
“My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”
And Joshua’s promoter Hearn has, for the first time, hinted that the Brit could take a fight before attempting to exact revenge on Usyk.
Speaking on The MMA Hour, he said: “It’s difficult to speak on behalf of Oleksandr Usyk.
“Firstly, my thoughts are with everybody in Ukraine and people showing incredible bravery out there, particularly some of the great fighters of the past and Oleksandr as well.
“He can have the time that he needs. We [Joshua] don’t want any other fight but Oleksandr Usyk.
“Whether there’s a delay for that fight and we have an interim bout, I guess that’s subject to the situation with Oleksandr Usyk and how much time he needs.
“It’s a very emotional time and personal time for the people of Ukraine. So we’ll respect them and give them all the time, but we wouldn’t be looking to get out of our obligation, is what I’m saying.
“The only fight AJ wants right now is Oleksandr Usyk. If we have to fight in between, no problem at all, but we’ll respect this time for Oleksandr Usyk and speak to his advisers.
“If there needs to be a delay for the contractual period, we will be happy to grant that, but we want that fight.
“We don’t want that obligation to slide away.”
Joshua has fought just twice since regaining the heavyweight belts against Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019.
He defended them against Kubrat Pulev in December 2020, before losing to Usyk last year.
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