Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is due to be announced ‘next week’ according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles to Usyk back in September of 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Not long after the fight, AJ was adamant that he wanted to exercise the rematch clause in his contract.
With there yet to be an official announcement, it is rumoured that the heavyweight showdown will take place on July 23 in Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn Gives His Insight
Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said: “It’s difficult. If you ask me that question now, yes, you will get an announcement next week.
“But then tomorrow something could take a little bit longer with a contract or an escrow or whatever.
“And then all of a sudden, I’m a liar and Billy in his Transformers pyjamas plays it back to me.
“‘Look at this clip. Eddie Hearn said we’d get an announcement next week and it’s now Monday of the week after.’
“So I will do my best. But as I talk to you now, I believe you’ll get an announcement next week.”
Hearn also had his say on Tyson Fury’s retirement announcement following the win over Dillian Whyte back in April.
Eddie expects Fury to fight the winner of Joshua vs Usyk.
Hearn Believes Tyson Fury Will Fight the Winner of Joshua Usyk 2
“We all know Tyson Fury’s not vacating, he’s not retiring, etcetera.
“You will next week get the official news on Joshua and Usyk, and Tyson should fight the winner, and I believe he will.
“By the way, you shouldn’t strip a fighter [for having some time off].
“It’s very easy for Tyson to go back going, ‘Look, I’m just going to have some time now, let me just think about what I’m going to do’.
“‘I know I said that after the fight but let me have some time’.
“And they shouldn’t strip him, of course not, like, he doesn’t have to retire, he doesn’t have to give them a decision when his next fight is just yet, he’s just boxed.
“So everything is done properly but of course we all know he’s not retiring so I expect to see him fight the winner of Joshua-Usyk II in December.
“All our focus on the moment is just to complete that fight and that contract which we will do this week and you will get an announcement next week.”
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