ANTHONY JOSHUA’S must-win Oleksandr Usyk rematch now looks set for August.
Hours after the September points loss of his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles, 32-year-old AJ said he was snapping up an instant rematch.
Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk now looks set to be in August
But the July 23 target is now just eight weeks away and the huge amount of promotional work still required to sell the Saudi Arabia showdown means it is likely to be delayed.
Ukraine 35-year-old Usyk‘s life was turned upside down when Russia invaded his home.
But he got his wife and children to safety and is now at a top-secret training camp, believed to be in the Czech Republic.
Joshua parted with decade-long mentor Rob McCracken after the second loss of his pro career and has moved to train at Loughborough University under Angel Fernandez.
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The Watford powerhouse is flying in experienced American trainer Robert Garcia, as an extra set of eyes, and he will need time to assess Joshua and the new gameplan to attack Usyk with far more purpose than in their last clash.
The Saudi billionaires funding the battle, to help flog the controversial state as a tourist hotspot, expect press conferences in London, Saudi and New York as part of a gruelling junket.
And the final few days leading up to the battle will be filled with media commitments, meaning training time for a late-July clash is dwindling.
Promoter Eddie Hearn insists the site deal is agreed and all parties are happy, with an official announcement imminent.
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However, the size and scale of the deal means a two-week delay is likely.
And the urgency is based on Joshua’s decision to box again as early as December.
Rival promoter Frank Warren – fresh from hosting Tyson Fury’s Wembley win over Dillian Whyte – has no involvement in the clash but he reckons there must be a problem holding up the overdue unveiling.
