Anthony Joshua’s Rematch With Oleksandr Usyk Cast In Doubt By Promoter

A bolt of startling information out of England indicates that Nigerian-born former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua might not take on Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in a much expected rematch.

Megasportsarena.com reports that London has already been cited as likely venue of the rematch, with a date in April being bandied as the likely spot to keep eyes on, but legendary broken promoter, Frank Warren has now cast that possibility in doubt.

This is despite widespread permutations hinting that Joshua is eager for another rematch, like the one he got after initially losing his built to Andy Ruiz Jnr, only to win it back few months later in Saudi Arabia.

Such is the expectation that ‘AJ’ would take the same route in the middle of this year, after he lost his heavyweight titles when he was outpointed by Usyk in London in September.

Joshua, who initially lost to Ruiz, when the Mexican-American stopped him in New York City in June 2019, reversed the result in December of the same year via decision.

In the wake of his second ever pro-defeat, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn said his ward will likely rematch Usyk in May, as the British fighter looks to avenge the second defeat of his professional career.

However, although there is a rematch clause for Joshua to face the undefeated Ukrainian again – likely this spring, Warren suggested that the London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist is not keen on another clash with Usyk.

The boxing expert, who is the promoter of World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, made reference to a collapsed step-aside deal that would have seen Fury and Usyk unify the heavyweight belts.

Warren told talkSPORT: “He keeps talking about Tyson not fighting Usyk, I don’t think Joshua will. That’s my opinion. I don’t think he fancies that rematch at the moment.

“Hearn has his hands full now; he’s got that fight to get on, and why does he keep banging on about what we’re doing?

“Our fight is going to be on BT Box Office, it’s going to be a great fight to watch. Afterwards, they can go and watch all those shows Eddie is putting on his app.”