WBA, IBF and WBO World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk has taken to social media to confirm that he’s officially started camp for his contracted rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Last September, Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, outboxed Joshua over twelve rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Joshua, 32-years-old, would later exercise an immediate rematch clause.
The second meeting had initially been planned for the month of May, but then Usyk returned to his home country of Ukraine to assist the local military with their resistance against the ongoing invasion by Russia.
Men, aged 18-60, are barred from leaving Ukraine while the invasion rages forward – but any man with at least three children, which Usyk has, is allowed to do so.
To leave no doubt about his boxing future, the 35-year-old Usyk informed his followers that his preparations are already under way.
“I decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua,” Usyk wrote on Instagram. “A large number of my friends support me … Thank God for everything.”
The rematch is now being targeted to land on a date in June or July, with a stadium in the UK being the frontrunner to host.
The winner of the second fight will be in position to face the victor of next month’s showdown between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
–boxingscene.com
